The Cleveland Cavaliers(12-7) began their three-game road trip in Milwaukee against the Bucks(13-5), and as they did earlier in the season in Milwaukee, the Cavs fell to the Bucks 117-102, which snapped Cleveland’s four-game winning streak.
Here’s the Great, Not So Great, and the Bottom Line of the Cavs’ loss to the Bucks.
Great:
First Half Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland: Mitchell had 21 of his team-high 29 points for the Cavs in the first half, and Garland added 17 of his 20 points for the Cavs in the first half. The two combined for 38 of the team’s 63 first-half points, but like the rest of the group, the two struggled in the second half. Mitchell was 8/15 from the floor, while Garland was 6/11 in the first half. However, in the second half, Micthell was 3/9, while Garland was 1/7 from the field.
Not So Great:
Third Quarter: Cleveland led 63-52 at the break and led by as many as 16 points, but the third quarter turned everything around for the Bucks. Milwaukee outscored the Cavs 35-10 in the third. Giannis Antetokounmpo had nine of his game-high 38 points in the quarter. The Cavs shot an abysmal 17% from the field, while the Bucks shot 58%, including 5/6 from deep. A 16-point first-half lead for Cleveland turned into a 14-point deficit as the Bucks led 87-73 at the end three, and the game was essentially over.
In their two wins over the Cavs this season, Milwaukee has outscored Cleveland 69-28 in the third.
Bottom Line
Cleveland got the start they wanted, but unfortunately, they did not get the third quarter they wanted, and ultimately, they didn’t get the win. The Bucks blitzed them, and the Cavs did not respond as their road struggles continued. Cleveland is now 4-6 on the road.
What’s Next:
The Cavs head to Detroit to battle the Pistons on Sunday.
Best of the Rest:
-Jarrett Allen injured his hip after a scary fall in the first quarter. Allen went for an Antetokounmpo pump fake and fell over him. He would return. However, he only played four minutes in the second half.
-Lamar Stevens missed Friday’s game due to illness. Dean Wade stepped in for Stevens and had seven points and 12 rebounds.
-Caris LeVert missed his third straight game with an ankle injury; Kevin Love(thumb) missed his second consecutive game.
-Jevon Carter had 18 points, including five threes for Milwaukee: Along with his 38 points(22 in the first half), Antetokounmpo added nine rebounds, six assists, and two blocks.
