Milwaukee Bucks vs Cleveland Cavaliers game tonight: Doc Rivers coaching news, Giannis' injury status, probable starters, odds and more
The Milwaukee Bucks look to win their fourth straight game in taking on the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight at Fiserv Forum.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Is Doc Rivers the Milwaukee Bucks head coach?
Joe Prunty remains the interim head coach and is scheduled to coach the team tonight against the Cavaliers. He guided the team to a 126-116 victory Wednesday over the Cavaliers a day after Adrian Griffin was fired.
The Bucks have agreed to hire Glenn “Doc” Rivers but has not made the hire official.
It was the second time Prunty has served as an interim head coach with the Bucks, as he guided the team to a 21-16 record and a seven-game playoff loss to Boston at the end of the 2017-18 season following the dismissal of Jason Kidd.
He also went 2-0 as Atlanta's interim coach last season before the Hawks hired Quin Snyder following the dismissal of Nate McMillan.
Analysis: From broken schemes to shaken confidence, why the Milwaukee Bucks fired coach Adrian Griffin
When is Doc Rivers going to coach the Bucks?
It is likely Rivers has been around the Bucks the last few days, but in terms of coaching his first game it appears the earliest would be Saturday against the New Orleans Pelicans, the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference.
The team leaves Sunday for Denver for the start of a five-game, nine-day road trip that includes games with the defending champion Nuggets on Jan. 29, Damian Lillard’s emotional homecoming in Portland (Jan. 31), a back-to-back against Kyrie Irving and Luca Dončić in Dallas then in Utah (Feb. 3-4) and concluding with a game against Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal in Phoenix (Feb. 6).
The one obvious day there could be a potential practice for Rivers could be during the two days between the game against the Trail Blazers and Mavericks.
Is Giannis playing?
He is probable to play as he appeared on the injury report with back spasms. He had been dealing with a right shoulder bruise, but that injury was no longer listed.
Bucks injury report vs. Cavs
Giannis Antetokounmpo, probable (back spasms)
Bucks probable starters vs. Cavaliers
Guards: Damian Lillard, Malik Beasley
Forwards: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton
Center: Brook Lopez
Giannis Antetokounmpo wins Bob Lanier Community Assist monthly award
The Bucks’ MVP candidate earned the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award in December for his efforts during the league’s five-week “Season of Giving” initiative in November and December. Following the Antetokounmpo’s annual diaper drive in October, the Antetokounmpo family served Thanksgiving dinner to men and provided clothing at Guest House Milwaukee. On Dec. 14 Antetokounmpo hosted Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee youths for a movie night and holiday shopping. Before a game on Dec. 16 he met with kids from Make-A-Wish Wisconsin. The Antetokounmpo family also hosted 300 foster families for a holiday party.
Antetokounmpo will receive the David Robinson Trophy before the Bucks game on Saturday for winning the award and the NBA will donate $10,000 to the Charles Antetokounmpo Family Foundation.
Bucks vs. Cavs betting odds: spread, over/under
Milwaukee is a 6-point favorite tonight to beat Cleveland. The over/under is 238 for the game, according to BetMGM.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Bucks vs Cavs: Doc Rivers coaching news, injury report, Giannis status
