Milwaukee Bucks: 3 biggest trap games left in 2018

2. Dec. 10 — Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

Why the Bucks might not take the Hornets seriously:

LeBron James is gone, Kevin Love is hurt and the Cleveland Cavaliers only have an interim head coach. The Cavs are off to a horrendous start, and little suggests that will change any time soon. They have a good chance at finishing with the worst record in the league. All this coupled with the fact that Milwaukee is at home means the Bucks should have no problem winning this game.

Strength of opponent: The 15th-place Cleveland Cavaliers are currently 2-13

Days rest going into game: Milwaukee — 0, Cleveland –1

Location of game: Milwaukee

Travel:

• The Bucks will travel 450 miles from Toronto to Milwaukee
• The Cavaliers will travel 200 miles from Cleveland to Milwaukee

Context and why the Cavaliers have a chance:

Clearly the biggest point in favor for the Cavaliers is the extra day of rest and 250 fewer travel miles the day prior. Though it will be each team’s third game in four days. Cleveland will play two games at home, then have a travel/rest day and then play Milwaukee, so only the 200 miles of travel over the whole four days.

Milwaukee, however, will play Golden State at home, take their travel/rest day to go for a game in Toronto, and then come back to play Cleveland. This means 900 miles of travel over three days for the Bucks. Not only is it 900 miles, but it also means two international flights (albeit just to Canada and back).

Beyond the travel differences, the Bucks will play two of the best teams in the league (Warriors, Raptors) prior to playing the Cavaliers. This could mean heavy minutes for Bucks starters in the two competitive game, leaving a real possibility for a fatigued, letdown game against the Cavs.