3 things to watch as Milwaukee Bucks visit Cleveland Cavaliers

How will Giannis Antetokounmpo fare against the Cleveland Cavaliers’ interior defense?

Another very interesting matchup that we didn’t get to see a second time in mid-December, but we’ll get to see how Giannis Antetokounmpo handles going against the Cavs’ fierce interior defense for a second time tonight.

In their first meeting this year, Antetokounmpo went 9-of-19 from the field but did hit all three of his 3-point attempts, so he was 6-of-16 inside the arc (37.5 percent).

The Cavs went all-in on size this offseason and when both Mobley and Jarrett Allen are on the floor, it’s a nightmare for anyone trying to score at the rim. Cleveland has, by far, the best defense at the rim this season.

Despite allowing the sixth-most shots in the restricted area, they have the lowest field goal percentage against in the restricted area at 58.5 percent; two and a half percent lower than the second-best team.

Antetokounmpo has had some great moments and battles with Allen in their careers when Allen was with the Brooklyn Nets and now that he’s in the division, it just gives us more chances to see them go at it along with Mobley, who has been a terrific defender in his first NBA season.

When being defended by Allen and Mobley on 2-point attempts this season, Antetokounmpo is 3-of-10 with a foul drawn on Allen.

Allen missed their last game with a non-COVID illness, so hopefully, he’s back tonight so we can get another memorable battle with him and Antetokounmpo. If he’s out though, it will be interesting to see how the rookie holds up against the reigning Finals MVP.