Four consecutive losses have shaken the Milwaukee Bucks‘ confidence, which they are working to rebuild. After finishing third in the last regular season, the Bucks have dropped to thirteenth, raising concerns about their defense. Could this poor record (1-4) jeopardize their chances of winning the championship? If so, then fans have to prepare themselves to see their ace, Giannis Antetokounmpo, in a different jersey next season as he confessed last month in an interview with The Athletic, “If we don’t win a championship, I might get traded.”

Well, it’s still too early to speculate on such possibilities. Certainly, it is not an ideal start for the Bucks but the season has just begun, and there will be more challenges on the way. The next one in particular will be one of the hardest, as they will face the Cavaliers, the only team that has won all six of their games so far. Given the Bucks’ lackluster performance, it won’t be difficult for the Cavs to make it 7-0 tonight. But before that, let’s take a closer look at who might miss the Eastern clash.

Injury Report: Bucks vs. Cavaliers

The Bucks will still be without Khris Middleton, who is recovering from his ankle injuries. The forward underwent surgeries on both ankles this summer and has been in rehabilitation. His return date hasn’t been confirmed by the franchise. Joining him on the injury list is Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is dealing with right patellar tendinitis. However, the Greek Freak is currently listed as probable for the matchup.

On the flip side, the Cavaliers have a longer injury list. Jaylon Tyson has missed their last game against the Magic due to his left hip tightness but is now listed as day-to-day. Meanwhile, Craig Porter Jr. will remain sidelined with his thumb injury. Additionally, their backup forward Emoni Bates recently underwent surgery to mend a torn meniscus. Max Strus too has also been out for some time, struggling with hip and ankle injuries. The franchise’s updated reports indicate that he is expected to return to action in about six weeks. With these players out of the roster, an image of their probable choices can be drawn.

Bucks vs Cavaliers: Depth Chart and head-to-head record

According to ESPN, the Bucks will stick with their regular starting five as they look to bring their A game against the formidable Cleveland team. Damian Lillard and Gary Trent Jr. will manage the matters at backcourt and facilitate ball distribution while forwards Taurean Prince and Giannis will need to step up their scoring to avoid a loss. Meanwhile, Brook Lopez will handle the duties in the center.

For the Cavaliers, Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell will take charge of the rim and continue delivering the impressive passes they’ve shown this season. Their off-ball movement could put pressure on the Bucks, who already struggle defensively. To create more offensive threats, the Cavs would choose Dean Wade and Evan Mobley, while Jarrett Allen will provide balance on both ends with his exceptional skills.

In the previous two regular seasons, the two teams performed neck-to-neck, with each recording four wins. But the Bucks lead the overall head-to-head matchup with 132 wins compared to the Cavs’ 101. However, the kind of dominance the Cleveland team is showing under their new head coach Kenny Atkinson is commendable. Their possession-based strategies and shooting accuracy could be a problem for the Bucks. While Giannis has remained consistent with his performance, the Bucks’ defense has been below average. If Doc Rivers doesn’t address these issues, Mitchell and Garland will likely take advantage of their weakness.

So, the struggling Bucks or the flawless Cavs, who would have the last laugh at Fiserv Forum Arena? The answer will be revealed in a few more hours. So tune into FanDuel Sports Network or make use of your League Pass to watch the thrilling battle sharp at 8 PM ET.