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Overview:

On Tuesday, December 19^th, the (23-8) Cleveland Cavaliers will be on the road to take on the (15-13) Milwaukee Bucks.

The Crowd:  

“The Crowd” is projecting a final score of Cavaliers 103.9 – Bucks 100.1 with an over/under of 204.0.

Statistics (2017-18 season):

Point differential: Cavaliers +4.0 (5^th) > Bucks -0.5 (17^th)

Points per game: Cavaliers 111.1 (3^rd) > Bucks 104.5 (16^th)

Points allowed per game: Bucks 105.0 (14^th) > Cavaliers 107.1 (22^nd)

Field Goal Percentage Offense: Cavaliers 48.4% (3^rd) > Bucks 48.0% (5^th)

Three Point Percentage: Cavaliers 38.2% (8^th) > Bucks 35.5% (20^th)

Field Goal Percentage Defense: Cavaliers 46.4% (18^th) > Bucks 46.6% (24^th)

Turnovers committed per game: Bucks 12.8 (2^nd) > Cavaliers 14.1 (12^th)

Turnovers forced per game: Bucks 15.4 (5^th) > Cavaliers 13.5 (25^th)

Rebounds per game: Cavaliers 41.9 (23^rd) > Bucks 38.4 (30^th)

Assists per game: Cavaliers 24.0 (4^th) > Bucks 22.1 (18^th)

Summary:

The Cavaliers are (9-1) in their last ten games including their current five game winning streak.  After a slow start to the season Cleveland has been dominant as of late even without point guards Isaiah Thomas and Derrick Rose.  Cleveland is one of the most high-scoring and efficient teams in the league.  Lebron James (27.8 PPG, 8.5 RPG, and 9.3 APG) should be the front runner for league MVP and is showing no signs of slowing down in his 15^th season.  James is shooting a career high 57% from the field and 40.1% from three.  Kevin Love (19.5 PPG and 10.2 RPG) is having another all-star season.  Dwyane Wade (11.3 PPG), Kyle Korver (10.7 PPG), and Jeff Green (10.7 PPG) lead a bench unit that averages the third most points in the league.  The Cavaliers average 111.1 points per game (3^rd) while allowing 107.1 (22^nd).

Milwaukee is (6-4) in their last ten games but are currently riding a three-game losing streak.  Giannis Antetokounmpo (29.8 PPG, 10.5 RPG, and (4.5 APG) currently leads the league in player efficiency rating.  Khris Middleton (20.3 PPG) has had a nice bounce back campaign after an injury plagued season.  The addition of Eric Bledsoe (17.5 PPG) makes the Bucks stronger on paper but they are just (11-7) since acquiring him.  Milwaukee really misses the scoring ability of Jabari Parker who is still making his way back from a serious knee injury suffered last season.  The Bucks often play small ball but it really hurts them on the boards where they rank dead last in rebounding (38.4 RPG).  The Bucks average 104.5 points per game (16^th) and allow 105.0 PPG (14^th).

Bottom Line:

The Cavaliers have dominated the head to head match-up with Milwaukee winning eight of the last ten meetings (including five straight).  The Bucks are (9-5) at home this season while the Cavaliers are (10-4) on the road.  Cleveland is clicking on all cylinders right now winning 18 of their last 20 games.  I like the Cavaliers to win this one on the road and Lebron to make another statement to the league as to why he is this year’s MVP.

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