Cleveland Cavaliers vs Milwaukee Bucks Picks and Predictions November 4th 2024

Cavaliers vs Bucks November 4th 2024

The undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers (-286) will host the Milwaukee Bucks (+238) in a Central Division matchup. The Cavaliers are favored by 7 points and the over/under line is set at 230.5.

This game will tip-off at 7:00 ET and can be seen on NBA TV. The Bucks are 1-5 on the season, while the Cavaliers have yet to lose a game at 7-0.

Bucks vs. Cavaliers Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Milwaukee Bucks at Cleveland Cavaliers
• Where: Cleveland at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
• Date: Monday, November 4th
• Betting Odds CLE -7, MIL +238 | CLE -286 O/U 230.5

The Bucks Can Win If…

The Bucks fell to 1-5 on the season after a 114-113 home loss to the Cavaliers on Saturday. Milwaukee, who were -2 point favorites, failed to cover the spread. The game’s total of 227 points came in just under the 230.5 O/U line.

Milwaukee started strong, leading 38-30 after the 1st quarter, but the Cavaliers responded with a 13-0 run, stretching the score from 53-47 to 66-47. The Bucks battled back, outscoring Cleveland 29-27 in the 4th, but couldn’t complete the comeback.

Damian Lillard connected on 10 threes at a 66.7% clip, finishing with 41 points and 9 assists in the Bucks’ 114-113 loss to the Cavaliers. Lillard hit 18 points in the 1st quarter and added 10 more in the 4th. Giannis Antetokounmpo contributed 34 points, 16 rebounds, and 9 assists, scoring 8 points in the final period.

Milwaukee made 18 threes, shooting 46.2% from beyond the arc and 48.3% overall. Taurean Prince added 4 threes, shooting 80% from deep and finishing with 16 points.

Register Now for Top Betting Strategies! Join SportsHub for expert advice.

Defensively, the Bucks gave up 114 points to the Cavaliers, who shot 48% from the field. Milwaukee allowed 30 points in the 1st quarter and 31 in the 2nd, but tightened up in the 3rd, giving up 26 points, and allowed 27 in the 4th.

The Bucks held Cleveland to 15 made threes on 39% shooting from deep. The Cavaliers went 11/15 from the free-throw line. Milwaukee grabbed 35 defensive rebounds while allowing 10 offensive boards and recorded 3 steals and 3 blocks.

• In their last five games away from home, the Bucks have a straight up record of 1-4 while going 1-4 vs. the spread. The team averaged 106 points per game in this stretch.
• Going back to their last ten games as the underdog, the Bucks have a straight up record of 3-7. But, their mark vs the spread was just 5-5.
• Over their last five games, the Bucks have an over/under record of 1-4 and are 0-5 vs. the spread.

The Cavaliers Can Win If…

The Cavaliers improved to 7-0 on the season with a 114-113 win over the Bucks on Saturday. Cleveland, who entered the game as +2 point underdogs, not only won but also covered the spread. The total points for the game were 227, just under the O/U line of 230.5.

A key moment in the game was Cleveland’s 13-0 run, which stretched the score from 53-47 to 66-47. They outscored the Bucks 31-24 in the 2nd quarter and 26-22 in the 3rd, taking an 87-84 lead into the 4th. Although the Bucks won the final quarter 29-27, the Cavaliers held on for the win.

Damian Lillard’s 10 threes on 66.7% shooting from deep highlighted his 41-point performance in the Bucks’ 114-113 loss to the Cavaliers. Lillard added 9 assists and 4 rebounds, while Giannis Antetokounmpo contributed 34 points, 16 rebounds, and 9 assists, shooting 55.6% from the field.

Taurean Prince connected on 4 threes at an 80% clip, finishing with 16 points. As a team, the Bucks hit 18 threes, shooting 46.2% from beyond the arc and 48.3% overall. Lillard scored 18 points in the 1st quarter and added 10 more in the 4th.

Despite a shaky start, giving up 38 points in the 1st quarter, the Cavaliers tightened up defensively in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, allowing just 24 and 22 points, respectively. Cleveland gave up 29 points in the 4th but held on for the win, even while allowing the Bucks to shoot 48% from the field.

The Cavaliers struggled to defend the three, with Milwaukee hitting 18 threes at a 46% clip. Cleveland sent the Bucks to the line 15 times, where they made 9 free throws. The Cavaliers finished with 35 defensive rebounds, giving up 10 offensive boards, while also recording 3 steals and 2 blocks.

• When looking at their past ten home matchups, Cleveland has an ATS record of 6-4 while averaging 107 per game. The team went 5-5 overall in these games.
• In their last five games as the betting favorite, the Cavaliers have a strong straight up record of 5-0. In addition, their ATS record was 5-0 in these scenarios.
• In their last five games, the Cavaliers have an over/under record of 3-2 and are 4-1 vs. the spread.

The Lean

For a point-spread wager in this Cavaliers vs. Bucks game, we suggest taking the Bucks at +7. Even though our predictions have the Cavaliers winning 131-127, we see the Bucks as the better choice on the point-spread.

Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 230.5 and given that our model is projecting 258 points between the teams, we like the over.

Facing Bucks, Cavs Out to Match Franchise’s Best Start

The Cleveland Cavaliers are on the cusp of history, looking to match their franchise’s best season start when they face off against the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night. Fresh off a dramatic 114-113 win in Milwaukee, the Cavs are unbeaten at 7-0, the only Eastern Conference team yet to drop a game this season. If they win Monday, they’ll tie the Cavaliers’ 8-0 start from the 1976-77 season, a year that saw a playoff run led by legends like Austin Carr under coach Bill Fitch.

Mitchell’s Heroics Propel Cleveland to Victory

Donovan Mitchell emerged as the hero on Saturday, sinking a game-winning 19-foot jumper with just 0.3 seconds remaining. Mitchell’s dramatic shot capped off an intense game that saw the Cavs rally back from an early deficit, showing resilience under first-year head coach Kenny Atkinson.

Reflecting on the game, Atkinson praised the team’s ability to persevere. “We took that barrage in the first quarter — that happens — and we could have just wilted. Instead, we stuck with it. We sniffed we could get back in the game and once we got back in, it was a real battle,” he noted.

The Cavs were able to outpace Milwaukee’s stars through a balanced team effort, with Mitchell leading and support from a deep bench. Sam Merrill provided a key boost off the bench, knocking down five of nine 3-point attempts and finishing with 17 points. Caris LeVert’s 3-point efficiency (52.4 percent this season) and reliable 12 points per game have added depth to Cleveland’s lineup, allowing them to thrive in close games.

Bucks’ Struggles Continue as Stars Shine

The Bucks are mired in a five-game losing streak, with their record sitting at 1-5. Milwaukee continues to struggle without Khris Middleton, who remains sidelined with an ankle injury. Despite standout performances from Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee has had difficulty finding scoring from the bench. In Saturday’s loss, Milwaukee’s bench was outscored 36-13 by Cleveland’s reserves.

Lillard dropped an impressive 41 points, sinking 10 triples, while Antetokounmpo added a powerful 34 points and 16 rebounds. However, even with their superstars performing at a high level, the Bucks have struggled to close out games.

“I loved our execution down the stretch,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers said. “It was one of those games where there were so many small things that came back to haunt you.”

Rivers has noted that Milwaukee’s bench remains a work in progress as he searches for the right rotation to support his star duo. Without consistent scoring support beyond Lillard and Antetokounmpo — the latter averaging 31.0 points (second in the NBA) and 12.3 rebounds per game — the Bucks face a tough challenge against Cleveland’s efficient offense.

Cavs’ Red-Hot Start Continues Under Atkinson

The Cavaliers are excelling on both ends, boasting an offense that ranks second in the NBA in scoring (123.1 points per game) and first in field goal percentage (52.6 percent). Mitchell’s 24.4 points per game lead the team, but Cleveland’s offense remains balanced. Darius Garland, averaging 17.9 points, has not missed a free throw this season and leads the team in assists with 6.3 per game. Jarrett Allen’s presence on the glass, averaging 11.1 rebounds per game, solidifies Cleveland’s inside game.

Stay Ahead with NBA Insights! Check out the latest NBA Picks And Parlays.

LeVert, a former Atkinson protégé in Brooklyn, feels the familiarity with his coach is boosting his confidence and efficiency. “It just brings me a level of comfort,” LeVert said. “It’s like any other relationship. When you’ve been with someone for a long time, you just have a level of comfort with them.”

Key Matchups to Watch

1. Donovan Mitchell vs. Damian Lillard
   With both guards averaging high-scoring games, this matchup could determine the pace. Mitchell’s clutch performance last game showed his ability to close under pressure, while Lillard’s 41-point effort means Cleveland can’t relax defensively.
2. Cleveland’s Bench vs. Milwaukee’s Bench
   Cleveland’s bench depth has been a deciding factor, while Milwaukee’s reserves continue to struggle. If Sam Merrill and Caris LeVert maintain their efficiency, Cleveland can offset Milwaukee’s star power.
3. Jarrett Allen vs. Giannis Antetokounmpo
   With Allen’s strong rebounding presence and Giannis’s all-around dominance, this matchup could sway the battle in the paint. Allen’s ability to limit second-chance points will be crucial in neutralizing Milwaukee’s inside game.

Game Outlook

With the chance to equal their best season start ever, Cleveland enters Monday’s game with high momentum and motivation. As the Bucks look to bounce back from a painful last-second loss, Rivers is likely to emphasize bench contributions and tighter rotations. However, Cleveland’s balanced offense and dependable bench could again prove to be the difference. For Milwaukee, success hinges on finding a reliable rotation beyond their star duo as they attempt to put an end to their early-season skid.

The Cavaliers have momentum, depth, and confidence on their side as they chase history in front of a home crowd. For Milwaukee, the focus will be on execution and a strong start if they hope to break their streak and secure a win.