Giannis Antetokounmpo is going to be a challenge for the Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers have Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday.

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ four-game skid continues as the Cavs get ready to face Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. The Cavs have not played since Sunday night, a blessing, as the team needs to get healthy and fast. The Cavs have had a hard time over the last few games, with some poor bench play, some bad defense, and Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen missing Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

We know that Mitchell, Allen, and Dean Wade (who’s been out two games), are Day-to-Day. We know that Ricky Rubio and Dylan Windler are just out, and their return is anyone’s guess. The extra days off won’t get you back Rubio and Windler, but it could give you back Mitchell, Allen, and Wade.

The Bucks are in a similar position.

As of Tuesday, the Bucks will be without Khris Middleton, Jrue Holliday, and Pat Connaughton as they are currently ruled as “OUT”. A fourth buck, instigator extraordinaire, Grayson Allen is listed as Day to Day. Basically, the Bucks are on fumes and the Cavs have a perfect chance to get their season back on track and snap this four-game losing streak.

This will be a fair contest if there’s ever been one. As far as one can be when you’re facing Antetokounmpo, that is. He’s posting unfair numbers of 31 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists per game, and that’s been without his better teammates like Middleton, who has yet to play this season.

Three Milwaukee Bucks that the Cleveland Cavaliers have to worry about

Giannis Antetokounmpo

He’s Giannis Antetokounmpo. Of course, he’s the player the Cavaliers have to worry most about. Evan Mobley has been up and down with his defensive efficiency, but you better he’s going to get this assignment a lot. How he plays here will be very telling.

Bobby Portis

Bobby Portis is a hard guy to like, just ask some of his teammates in Chicago, but he’s averaging a double-double off the bench. In 13 games, he’s putting up 13 points and 11 rebounds, and if Jarrett Allen and Dean Wade are out, he’ll likely have a lot less resistance in the paint.

Brook Lopez

Despite the fact he and his brother, Cavaliers center Robin Lopez, are the same age, Brook is still very solid. He’s putting up 15 points and pulling down six rebounds per game as the team’s starter. Brook Lopez is among the league’s worst rebounders,  but this is his best output since 2015-2016 with the Nets. He’s also a 34% three-point shooter and for a center, that’s impressive. The Cavs can’t rest on defense with Lopez.