The Cleveland Cavaliers are aiming for their best season start in nearly five decades as they visit the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night. After beating the Orlando Magic 120-109 on Friday, the Cavaliers bring a 6-0 record into the second leg of their back-to-back, matching their finest start since the 2016-17 season when LeBron James led the team.
Another win would put the Cavaliers just one victory away from tying their all-time franchise record of 8-0, set during the 1976-77 season under coach Bill Fitch and players Austin Carr and Campy Russell.
Cleveland, one of the NBA’s top defensive teams last season, has elevated its offense under new coach Kenny Atkinson. The Cavaliers have surpassed 130 points three times this season, shooting an impressive 53.3 percent from the field and 40.8 percent from three-point range.
Guards Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland’s scoring against Orlando with 25 and 22 points, respectively, despite both facing foul trouble. Forward Evan Mobley also contributed with a double-double.
In contrast, the Bucks are trending downward, having lost their last four games, including a 122-99 blowout to the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday. Milwaukee struggled with their shooting, going 9-of-42 from long range and losing the rebounding battle 56-38.
Superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo continued his MVP-caliber performance with 37 points on 17-of-22 shooting and 11 rebounds. However, his co-star Damian Lillard had an off night, scoring only four points on 1-of-12 shooting while Ja Morant recorded a triple-double.
Lillard, along with fellow starters Gary Trent Jr. and Taurean Prince, missed 18 of their combined 19 three-point attempts. The Bucks will need Lillard to bounce back, especially with Khris Middleton sidelined due to an ankle injury. No Milwaukee player other than Antetokounmpo or Lillard has scored more than 16 points this season.
