Milwaukee Bucks: 3 keys to victory in rematch against Cleveland Cavaliers

Third key to victory against Cavaliers – Milwaukee Bucks remain locked in defensively

While the Bucks’ league-leading offense had no problem of showing up Friday night, seeing the Bucks clamp down the Cavaliers, more so in the second half, was key to their eventual lopsided victory.

Milwaukee’s once-elite defense has not held with all of the personnel changes they made over the offseason, all of which has forced them to explore more tactical changes this season. Some of that can be reflected in their 109.3 defensive rating this season and that number soars higher in their growing road games so far as Milwaukee is allowing 113.1 points per 100 possessions to their opponents in such games.

Of all of the biggest things that have differed the most from playing on the road versus at home, the Bucks’ defense has been their biggest problem in that regard.

Again, some of that is due to their recent 3-point shooting onslaughts we’ve seen unleashed on the Bucks while on the road. In that sense, Cleveland won’t challenge them in that regard as a more reluctant 3-point shooting team and after going 11-for-32 from deep (34.4 percent) Friday night.

Still, all of the chemistry and cohesion the Bucks can conjure up defensively, even at this stage of the season, will be critical in building up the same kind of defensive potency that has been the constant in the Mike Budenholzer era.

The Bucks’ final meeting with the Cleveland Cavaliers this season will tip off at 7 p.m. central time Saturday night and you can catch the action on Fox Sports Wisconsin for those living locally.