In a battle of Central division rivals, the up-and-coming Milwaukee Bucks take on the Eastern Conference champion Cleveland Cavaliers in a primetime matchup on TNT. The game tips off at 8:00 p.m. EST, and here are five bold predictions for what may unfold in the Bucks' first time back on TNT's regular-season slate since 2002.
5. Cavaliers Struggle Again in Intradivisional Matchup
The Cavs are only 1-3 so far against the Central, losing to the Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons and Bucks once already. In one of the most competitive divisions in the NBA, Cleveland has struggled mightily. Outside of it, they're undefeated. It goes to show that the teams that know you best are your worst enemies and have an edge -- not only emotionally, but strategically.
4. Thompson Held to Zero Offensive Rebounds
Tristan Thompson is a wealthy man now after holding out for so long to end up signing a five-year, $82 million deal just before the season opened. With his new-found wealth, he's expected to build off of last year's impactful playoff run.
That hasn't been the case.
Instead, Thompson is averaging a career low 7.2 points and 2.1 offensive rebounds per game. For a man who is basically paid to rebound, and even more specifically on the offensive side of the ball, it'll be embarrassing when he gets zero offensive boards playing against great rebounders such as Greg Monroe, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Michael Carter-Williams, John Henson and Jabari Parker.
3. Parker Leads Bucks in Scoring for Best Game in 2015-16
With LeBron James and Antetokounmpo likely guarding each other the majority of the game, don't be shocked when Parker, the former No. 2 overall pick in the draft, lights it up for his best game yet since returning from the ACL injury. He's only played in five games so far this year, and coming off of a minor foot injury to return tonight, expect him to unleash all of that potential for at least 25 points.
2. Antetokounmpo Holds LeBron to Under 25 Points
As mentioned, The Greek Freak will be undoubtedly be tasked with covering King James in this one. In primetime, anticipate him bringing his best effort against the (newly) second-best player in the league. He'll hold LeBron to under 25 points, even though James will be in attack mode late in the game. I'll go a step further to say that he'll shoot under 40 percent from the field as well.
1. Bucks Win With Huge Defensive Play On Final Possession of Game
Finally, the Cavs are no doubt favorites at home in a big-time matchup. But you have to play the games, and the Bucks will use everything they have in this one to overcome Cleveland and launch themselves into the national spotlight. Where they make their mark is on the defensive side of the ball, and we'll see that here on the last play of the game as they hold off James and the Cavs.
Prediction: Bucks 95, Cavs 93
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