Milwaukee Bucks Game Preview: Ohio Showdown

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Nov 3, 2012; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) defends Milwaukee Bucks guard Brandon Jennings (3) during the game at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Bucks defeated the Cavaliers 105-102. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Kyrie Irving made the All-Star team. Brandon Jennings did not. In their first games since the announcement, they face each other in Cleveland. Woo boy.

Given that both players have a flair for the dramatic, this pairing should make for a good show. Enjoy this one. Not many Bucks/Cavs games in recent years have had such an obvious storyline of interest.

Center Anderson Varejao had played well against the Bucks (and seemingly everyone else in the NBA) this season, but he is out for the season with an odd split of his quadriceps muscle and a clot in his right lung that was spotted after the subsequent surgery.

Projected Lineups:

Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving, Dion Waiters/CJ Miles, Alonzo Gee, Tristan Thompson, Tyler Zeller
Bucks: Brandon Jennings, Monta Ellis, Marquis Daniels, Luc Mbah a Moute, Larry Sanders

Injury Status:

C.J. Miles missed the Cavs’ game Tuesday with an illness, but will likely play tonight.

#Cavs‘ CJ Miles here at shootaround after missing practice yesterday with illness. Looks promising for him to play tonight vs. MIlwaukee.

— M.S. Boyer/J. Valade (@PDcavsinsider) January 25, 2013

Anderson Varejao is out for the season.

Doron Lamb is questionable with a sprained ankle and Marquis Daniels is probable with an illness.

The numbers

(Provided by Basketball-Reference.com)

						Offense Four Factors				Defense Four Factors
Rk	Team	SRS	ORtg	DRtg	Pace	eFG%	TOV%	ORB%	FT/FGA	eFG%	TOV%	DRB%	FT/FGA
16	Milwaukee Bucks	-1.14	102.5	103.3	94.1	.470	13.2	28.0	.189	.477	14.7	70.9	.214
27	Cleveland Cavaliers	-5.79	103.0	108.7	91.9	.463	13.5	29.4	.197	.518	14.9	71.7	.239
	League Average	0.00	105.3	105.3	91.7	.491	13.7	26.9	.205	.491	13.7	73.1	.205

Decent advantages for the Bucks across the board. If Milwaukee can keep the Cavaliers off the offensive glass — an easier feat with Varejao out — then the Bucks should win this game.**

**Barring a complete, emo Brandon Jennings breakdown.

A few tweets

Ashley Judd was in Washington DC for the presidential inauguration earlier in the week.

Hope, my new friend, bomb sniffing dog. Such good kisses! & the police were Kentuckians! Gave me Doron Lamb 3 goggles twitter.com/AshleyJudd/sta…

— ashley judd (@AshleyJudd) January 22, 2013

The best revenge is living well with champagne?

Now im in it for the girls & checks, can care less bout respect from dudes I never met. Champagne!!!

— BRANDON JENNINGS (@justryod3) January 25, 2013

Bucks haven’t made it big-time yet this year, but baby steps…

NBA TV will now televise Hawks at Bucks game on Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m. (CT). No longer airing Cavs at Magic. #GoBucksGo

— Dan Smyczek (@DanSmyz) January 25, 2013