The Cleveland Cavaliers travel to Fiserv Forum to face the Milwaukee Bucks on February 25, 2026, in a crucial Central Division clash between two teams heading in different directions this season. Cleveland has emerged as a serious contender after strengthening its roster and improving its offense, while Milwaukee is trying to stay competitive despite injuries and an inconsistent campaign.
The Cavaliers have been one of the hottest teams recently, winning the majority of their games over the past few weeks. The addition of James Harden has boosted their offensive efficiency, turning Cleveland into a top-tier scoring unit. On the other side, the Bucks have shown signs of improvement lately, but their defensive struggles and the absence of key players — especially Giannis Antetokounmpo — remain a major concern.
This matchup will likely come down to Cleveland’s offensive firepower against Milwaukee’s ability to stay competitive at home. Below is a complete preview with standings, recent form, injury updates, key player stats, head-to-head results, and the best betting picks for this game.
Match Information
| Match | Cleveland Cavaliers vs Milwaukee Bucks |
|---|---|
| Date | February 25, 2026 |
| Time | 8:00 PM ET |
| Venue | Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee |
| TV | FDSN Ohio, FDSN Wisconsin |
| Spread | Cavaliers -3.5 to -8.5 |
| Over/Under | 227.5 |
| Moneyline | Cavaliers favored |
Current Standings & Team Overview
| Team | Record | Conference Rank | Points Scored | Points Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cavaliers | 37-22 | East – Top 3 | 119.5 (4th) | 115.0 |
| Bucks | 25-31 | East – Lower half | 112.3 | 115.4 |
Cleveland owns one of the best offenses in the league, while Milwaukee has struggled to maintain consistency on both ends of the floor.
Recent Form (Last 10 Games)
| Team | Last 10 | ATS | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cavaliers | 8-2 | 6-4 | 13 wins in last 15 |
| Bucks | 7-3 | 7-3 | Improving but inconsistent season overall |
Cleveland’s momentum has been strong, although both teams enter this game without rest, which could impact performance.
Head-to-Head (H2H)
| Category | Result |
|---|---|
| Season Series | Cavaliers lead 2-0 |
| Last Meetings | 118-113 and 118-106 (CLE wins) |
| ATS Record | 1-1 in last two |
| Trend | Cleveland has controlled the matchup this season |
Cleveland has clearly had the edge in recent meetings, especially with their improved roster.
Injury Report
Cleveland Cavaliers
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Max Strus | Out – Foot |
(Some reports also indicate rotation concerns and workload management, but core players are expected to lead the offense.)
Milwaukee Bucks
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | Out – Calf |
| Taurean Prince | Out – Neck |
The absence of Giannis is the biggest factor in this matchup, as it significantly weakens Milwaukee’s defense and inside scoring.
Key Team Statistics
Cleveland Cavaliers
| Stat | Average | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Points Scored | 119.5 | 4th |
| Assists | 28.4 | 8th |
| Field Goal % | 47.7% | Above league average |
| Offensive Rating (recent) | ~121+ | Top tier |
Milwaukee Bucks
| Stat | Average | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Points Scored | 112.3 | 24th |
| Rebounds | 41.3 | 27th |
| Assists | 26.0 | 17th |
| Defensive Rating (recent) | Bottom tier without Giannis |
Key Player Matchups
Cavaliers Leaders
| Player | PPG | RPG | APG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donovan Mitchell | 28.5 | 4.5 | 5.8 |
| James Harden | 24.5 | 4.8 | 8.1 |
| Evan Mobley | 17.5 | 8.6 | 3.9 |
| Jarrett Allen | 14.9 | 8.6 | – |
Harden has crossed 19.5 points in multiple recent games, and his scoring role has increased with Cleveland’s new offensive system.
Bucks Leaders
| Player | PPG | RPG | APG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Rollins | 17.2 | 4.6 | 5.4 |
| Kyle Kuzma | 12.8 | 4.9 | 2.5 |
| Bobby Portis | 13.2 | 6.6 | – |
| Myles Turner | 12.5 | 5.7 | – |
Without Giannis, Milwaukee relies heavily on role players to generate offense.
Betting Trends & Insights
- Cavaliers offense ranks Top 3 since Harden’s arrival
- Cleveland averages 230+ total points in recent games
- Bucks defense ranks bottom 25 recently
- Cavaliers have won both meetings this season
- Milwaukee performs better ATS at home but lacks star power without Giannis
Best Picks for Cavaliers vs Bucks
| Market | Pick |
|---|---|
| Spread | Cavaliers -3.5 (safer range) |
| Total | Over 227.5 |
| Player Prop | James Harden Over 19.5 Points |
| Moneyline | Cavaliers to Win |
Match Prediction
Cleveland has the stronger offense, better recent form, and a clear advantage in star power. Milwaukee’s effort at home could keep the game competitive, but without Giannis, stopping Cleveland’s scoring attack will be difficult.
Predicted Score:
Cavaliers 118 – Bucks 113
The Cavaliers look like a complete contender right now. Their offense is flowing smoothly, and the addition of Harden has added another scoring and playmaking threat. Milwaukee has shown improvement recently, but without its superstar, the team lacks the firepower to match Cleveland over four quarters.
Expect a competitive game early, but Cleveland’s depth and offensive efficiency should help them pull away late.
