WHO: (24-22) @ (27-19) WHERE: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, OH WHEN: Monday February 6th, 2006, 6:00 PM TV-Radio MILWAUKEE: TV: UPN 24 RADIO: WTMJ 620 CLEVELAND: TV: FSOhio RADIO: WTAM 1100 PREVIOUS MATCHUPS Bucks: Grizzlies 78 @ Bucks 88 Cavaliers: Sixers 100 @ Cavs 95 Streaks Bucks: Won 1 Cavaliers: Lost 2 Season Series 12/10 Cavs 106 @ Bucks 111 1/4 Cavs 91 @ Bucks 84 1/7 Bucks 88 @ Cavs 96 2/6 Bucks @ Cavs Injuries Bucks: Mo Williams- OUT (Ankle) Cavaliers: Larry Hughes- OUT (Finger) Ira Newble- OUT (Facal Abcess) Probable Starters C: Jamaal Maglorie/Zydrunas Ilgauskas PF: Andrew Bogut/Drew Gooden SF: Bobby Simmons/LeBron James SG: Michael Redd/Sasha Pavlovic PG: TJ Ford/Eric Snow 6th Men: Joe Smith/Donyell Marshall Coaches: Terry Stotts (1st yr w/ Bucks 24-22, 3rd ov. 76-107) Mike Brown (1st yr w/Cavs 27-19, 1st ov.) Matchup to Watch Bobby Simmons vs LeBron James Bobby: 12.8 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.0 APG, 44.5% FG 41.1% 3pt 82.9% FT James: 31.0 PPG 6.8 RPG 6.4 APG 49.0% FG 35.0% 3pt 73.9% FT Predictions The Bucks head to Cleveland to try and split the season series with the Cavs. This will be the last time these two teams meet in the regular season. The Cavs have lost 2 in a row. It will be tough for the Bucks to win in Cleveland, but normally they rise to the challange and make it interesting against good teams. Cavs 102 Bucks 97
This is a big game for both teams. I can't quite figure out the Bucks this season, they have some big wins against teams better than them. The next game they lose to a weaker opponent. The key for the Cavs success is Big Z, and the Bucks have the frontline to contain him. Michael Redd should have a huge game playing in his hometown and not really having a defensive stopper on him. It was interesting to see Mike Brown use LeBron on Iverson down the stretch last night. He's trying to force LeBron into becoming a better defender, but LeBron doesn't have the defensive skills yet to contain quality scorers. Cleveland is tough at home, but I think the Bucks are going to come in and steal this game. I like the matchup advantages Milwaukee has in this game. Plus getting Joe Smith back gives them extra depth off the bench and someone to matchup with Donyell.
