Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
2024-25 NBA Regular Season
Cleveland Cavaliers v Milwaukee Bucks
Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
Cleveland, Ohio
Saturday 21 December 2024
Tip-off at 02:30
Cleveland Cavaliers will be looking to continue their impressive start to the season when they face Milwaukee Bucks at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on the morning of Saturday, December 21.
The Cavs still boast the best record in the
NBA after losing just four of their opening 27 games and they lead the way in the Eastern Conference ahead of Boston Celtics, who are 1.5 games back.
Kenny Atkinson's team have won back-to-back games against Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets since going down 122-113 to Miami Heat on December 9.
Cleveland ran out 130-101 victors over the Nets on December 17 which was the seventh time in 2024-25 they had scored 130 points of more - a single-season franchise record.
Image copyright: Getty Images
Evan Mobley led the scoring with 21 points as one of seven Cavs to hit double figures and Atkinson hailed the job done at both ends of the court.
"Our defensive mentality, our defensive aggressiveness, our defensive activity, we were just locked in. That was the story of the game. We're just so connected on both ends," Atkinson said.'
"We put in a system, but there's got to be buy in from your best players. Donovan [Mitchell] and Darius [Garland], those guys are kind of our quarterbacks. When they distribute, everything flows from there. It's a domino effect."
The Bucks have recovered from a slow start to the season, winning eight of their last 10 games to improve their record to 14-10 which sees them occupy fifth place in the East.
Doc Rivers' team saw off Atlanta Hawks 110-102 on December 14 to reach the NBA Cup final, where they will meet Western Conference leaders Oklahoma City Thunder on December 18.
Giannis Antetokounmpo registered 32 points, 14 rebounds and 9 assists against the Hawks and will go head-to-head with fellow MVP frontrunner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Rivers has embraced the NBA Cup and is determined to be crowned second winners of the tournament after the Los Angeles Lakers won the inaugural 2023 edition.
"Let's put our name out there. We're gonna try to win it. If we don't win it, we don't win it, but... there's nothing wrong with saying you want to win something, and if you win it, great, and you don't, at least you went for it," Rivers said.
"I thought last year a lot of teams were, 'Yeah, I don't know [about the NBA Cup].' This year I like it because more teams are saying, 'We want to win it'. If you lose, you're like, 'Well [it doesn't matter]'. I don't want that issue. I want us to put our names on it."
Cleveland Cavaliers v Milwaukee Bucks - Head-to-head, Regular Season
Games played: 235
Cavs wins: 103
Bucks wins: 132
Bet on Basketball
With the latest betting odds and the most up-to-date markets, betting on basketball has never been so easy. Sign up now and start winning with Betway!
Shoot some hoops with Basketball Star!
Discover Zambia’s most popular online casino games in between games!
This exciting 243 Way game boasts a star-studded line-up of features and brings the ever-popular Rolling Reels™ back out onto the court.
Get ready to feel the electric atmosphere of an all-star match with the Wild Shot feature. This Base Game feature, set to become a fan favourite, randomly turns up to 2 Reels Wild, awarding a guaranteed win! Play Basketball Star Online Slot for free or real money!
For all the latest sports news, betting tips and promotions follow Betway on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Download the Betway App.