After the Cavaliers’ back-to-back victory over the Bucks
At the start of the New Year, the Cleveland Cavaliers went on an eight-game winning streak. Nevertheless, some said Cleveland’s success was due to their easy schedule. After the Cavs’ two-game series against the Milwaukee Bucks, supporters had a clearer picture of the team’s standing in the Eastern Conference.
The Cavaliers’ position in the East Conference has been the subject of extensive discussion. Yes, they recently embarked on an eight-game winning streak, but some in the national media attributed their success to a lax schedule.
traveling to play the current Eastern Conference third seed in a back-to-back despite missing two important starters The Cavaliers are a serious threat, and Darius Garland and Evan Mobley should warn the rest of the Conference of this.
With these past two games and Cleveland’s prior two meetings with the Bucks, Isaac Okoro has demonstrated why he should be one of the best defenders in the NBA.
For a total of twenty-four minutes this season, he has guarded Damian Lillard, and let’s just say that it hasn’t been Dame Time for the Bucks guard. Under Ice’s protection, Lillard has shot 17.6% (3–17) from behind the arc and 26.5% (9–34) from the floor. Along with forcing four turnovers, Okoro has also stopped three of Lillard’s shots.
Ever since the Cavs were eliminated from the playoffs by the New York Knicks the previous season, there has been much discussion regarding the depth of the frontcourt. It’s evident from the last two Bucks games that Cleveland still needs to take care of this.
In the first meeting, the Bucks outrebounded the Cavs 46–39, and in the second, the two teams were tied. Jarrett Allen led the team in scoring, recording double-doubles in both games.
The team must attempt to sign another frontcourt player now that Tristan Thompson is serving a 25-game suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs.
Though the playoffs are still a long way off, we’re beginning to fully grasp this team’s identity.
