A spotless record for the Cleveland Cavaliers and five consecutive losses for the Milwaukee Bucks. Two teams on opposite ends of the spectrum will be up for their rematch on Monday. Last Saturday the Cavs snatched the victory away from the Bucks. The Bucks appeared ready to secure their second victory of the season, thanks to Damian Lillard’s impressive 41-point outing. He put his team ahead 113-112 by sinking a jumper with just 10 seconds remaining on the clock. But it was Donovan Mitchell who got the last bucket to win by 1 point over the Bucks.

The Bucks will be looking for revenge. But it might not be easy for them. The Bucks need to correct their course if they are looking to get out of last place in the conference. “We haven’t been able to sustain 48 minutes. We’ve got to figure that out. That’s on us. We have not found the correct rotation yet,” Doc Rivers said after their defeat to the Cavs on Saturday.

And the Bucks may suffer another blow, Giannis Antetokounmpo has already been playing through his right patella tendonitis but now also has to with a right adductor strain. This could see him miss the match, as the Bucks have listed him as probable.

Bucks’ injury report

Khris Middleton, a former three-time All-Star small forward, is not what he once was. He has been struggling to find his form for the past two seasons with the Bucks. This summer, he underwent two offseason surgeries which could cure the root cause of his injuries, but for the moment, he remains sidelined and will not be gracing the court. Joining him on the bench will be MarJon Beauchamp. Eric Nehm of The Athletic reported that the Bucks are sure that Beauchamp will not be playing as he suffers from a non-covid illness.

Nehm also confirmed that Pat Connaughton is probable for Monday’s matchup against the Cavaliers because of a strain in his left adductor. On Saturday, Connaughton could not even down a single bucket, but it seems he’ll get another chance to score against the Cavs. Over his initial five games this season, Connaughton has averaged 4.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 17.2 minutes per game. The team also lists Antetokounmpo as probable while he deals with his right adductor strain.

Bucks depth chart. Can Damian Lillard hold the Bucks’ fort in Giannis Antetokounmpo’s absence?

If Giannis isn’t playing then a lot rests on Lillard and the rest of the squad. Not only will his absence be felt in scoring but also in defense. Lillard and Gary Trent Jr. are set to manage backcourt responsibilities, facilitating ball movement and playmaking. At the same time, Taurean Prince will need to intensify their scoring efforts to help the team avoid a defeat. Meanwhile, Brook Lopez will anchor the team at center, focusing on his duties in the paint.

Cavaliers injury report

The Cavaliers are dealing with an even more extensive injury lineup. Jaylon Tyson, who sat out their previous matchup against the Magic due to tightness in his left hip, is now being monitored on a day-to-day basis. Meanwhile, backup forward Emoni Bates recently had surgery to repair a torn meniscus. Max Strus has also been sidelined, as he’s been managing hip and ankle issues, with the latest update suggesting he’ll likely need another six weeks before he can rejoin the action. Given these absences, it’s clear the Cavaliers’ roster options are significantly narrowed.

Caris LeVert is also questionable for the game, he is recovering from a knee injury.

Cavaliers depth chart

For the Cavs, Darius Garland and Mitchell will lead the charge at the rim, continuing to deliver the impressive passes that have characterized their season so far. Their movement without the ball could apply significant pressure on the Bucks, who are already struggling defensively. To enhance their offensive options, the Cavs will likely deploy Dean Wade and Evan Mobley, while Jarrett Allen will bring balance on both sides of the court with his exceptional abilities.

The Cavs boss will be looking to use Issac Okoro to neutralize Lillard. Allen has seen better days. These last performances by him have been poor. He couldn’t contain Antetokounmpo from scoring and wasn’t underwhelming offensively. But he’ll be looking to bounce back in the rematch.

If the Cavs win this match they’ll be 8-0 in the league, something which they managed in 1976 the last time. The Bucks will be under pressure, they need a win desperately. It’ll be an interesting match, to say the least.