The Cleveland Cavaliers had lost four games in a row following an 8-1 start, and they had a chance to get back on track on Wednesday versus the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Bucks were without Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday, two All-Star-caliber players, and thus it was a prime opportunity for Cleveland to reestablish what it had shown a few weeks ago to start the season.
After playing Giannis Antetokounmpo and crew to a standstill in the first half, the Cavs had trouble scoring and lost, 113-98, making it their fifth consecutive loss.
Needless to say, their fans are growing more unhappy with each setback.
Cleveland was without All-Star center Jarrett Allen, who was out with a non-COVID illness, and this fan blames his absence for the loss.
Donovan Mitchell is in the lineup tonight, but the shorthanded #Bucks are still spanking the Cavaliers… they miss their true key to winning — Jarrett Allen
— Ty Willinganz (@TyWillinganz) November 17, 2022
This man is not happy with one aspect of head coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s leadership.
I have never seen a coach that complain to the refs as much as this guy, JB is a great motivational speaker, not much of a tactician guy, he would be great as a defensive assistance coach, but a head coach for a team with potentially 4 all star, nahh
— Boyabob (@Boyabob1) November 17, 2022
This fan has a simple explanation for what the Cavs need to do to get back on track.
Need to make a trade
— Ashton (@ashtonchester4) November 17, 2022
This fan had some specific suggestions for Bickerstaff.
JB needs to find players that can defend the 3 and rebound.
and move Caris LeVert to the bench as he isn't gelling and getting enough touches with the starting 5— pdx_pete (@AngryNPDX) November 17, 2022
Another Bad Loss
The Cavs allowed Milwaukee to hit 41.0 percent of their 3-point attempts, and in particular, center Brook Lopez went 7-of-9 from downtown to score 29 points.
Although they were able to force Antetokounmpo into a 6-of-18 clunker, they weren’t able to prevent his teammates from picking up the slack.
Perhaps the worst stat of the night was the fact that Cleveland got outrebounded 52-34, and no, Allen’s absence is not an excuse to get outrebounded by 18.
After hosting the Charlotte Hornets on Friday, the Cavs will play the tough Miami Heat and the pesky Atlanta Hawks before visiting the Bucks once again the day after Thanksgiving.
If Donovan Mitchell and company don’t rectify things soon, their situation could get a bit out of hand.
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