The top two teams in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference face off Wednesday night between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Milwaukee enters the game on a three-game winning streak while the Cavaliers won the past five games heading into this matchup.
The Bucks' top duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard powered Milwaukee over the Sacramento Kings in an overtime win Sunday night. Lillard led the team with 28 points and 8 assists, including the game-winning shot in overtime. Antetokounmpo tallied a triple-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Antetokounmpo and Lillard average 31.2 and 25.2 points per game this season, respectively.
The Cavaliers cruised past the Chicago Bulls on Monday night behind Donovan Mitchell's 34 points and Jarrett Allen ninth consecutive double-double. Mitchell's 27.9 points per game lead the team this season with Allen adding 14.8 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. Caris LeVert averages 16.4 points per game this year as well.
Cleveland has missed two of its best players for the past few weeks in Darius Garland and Evan Mobley. Garland, who averaged 20.7 points per game, suffered a fractured jaw on Dec. 15 that required surgery. The Cavaliers hope Garland can return by the end of January, according to Cleveland.com's Chris Fedor. They've been without Mobley since then as well after the center underwent knee surgery. Cleveland has gone 9-3 since they lost both players.
“Evan and Darius are taking steps in the right direction and are progressing,” Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff said Monday. “But there is no update on their return date.”
This is a battle between a high-scoring offense and a stout defense. Milwaukee averages the second-most points per game this season with 125 but will face a Cleveland defense that allows the fourth-fewest points per game with 111.3.
A win for the Cavaliers closes the gap in the division as well as the conference standings, as Cleveland is 4.5 games back of Milwaukee. The Bucks, meanwhile, could draw within 1.5 games of the conference-leading Boston Celtics with a win and Celtics loss on Wednesday.
Here is everything you need to know about Bucks vs. Cavaliers including TV and streaming options for the game.
What channel is Bucks vs. Cavaliers on today?
- TV channel: ESPN
- Live stream: Sling
Bucks vs. Cavaliers will air nationally on ESPN.
Viewers who wish to stream the game can also watch on Sling, which is the home for the avid sports fans offering a range of sports channels so you can always cheer for your favorite teams with channels like ESPN, TBS, TNT, NFL Network, FS1 and more.
Bucks vs. Cavaliers start time
- Date: Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET | 4:30 p.m. PT
Bucks vs. Cavaliers will tip off around 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024. The game will be played at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. This is one of 10 NBA games on Saturday.
Milwaukee Bucks schedule 2023-24
Here are the Bucks' next five games of the 2023-24 regular season:
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 20 | at Pistons | 3 p.m. | |
| Jan. 22 | at Pistons | 7 p.m. | |
| Jan. 24 | vs. Cavaliers | 8 p.m. | |
| Jan. 26 | vs. Cavaliers | 8 p.m. | |
| Jan. 27 | vs. Pelicans | 8 p.m. |
Cleveland Cavaliers schedule 2023-24
Here are the Cavaliers' next five games of the 2023-24 regular season:
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 20 | at Hawks | 7:30 p.m. | |
| Jan. 22 | at Magic | 7 p.m. | |
| Jan. 24 | at Bucks | 8 p.m. | |
| Jan. 26 | at Bucks | 8 p.m. | |
| Jan. 29 | vs. Clippers | 7 p.m. |
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