The Cleveland Cavaliers (9-3) beat the Milwaukee Bucks (5-7) 115-100 on Thursday.
After a grueling 108-105 double overtime loss to the Bucks last Saturday in Milwaukee, Cleveland unleashed an offensive barrage Thursday while also dominating on the glass. The Cavs put up a robust 24 shots from beyond the arc, draining 11 of them. They also shot a superb 56.3 percent from the field overall while nearly doubling up the Bucks on rebounds, 43 to 22. After building a dominating 63-48 halftime lead, the Cavs withstood a particularly strong third period from the Bucks and pulled away late to seal the victory.
Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetotkoumpo is apparently one of the few players in the NBA who doesn’t necessarily mind a dose of LeBron James defense. The Greek Freak had posted a 16-point, 12-rebound double-double in last Saturday’s double-overtime showdown, and poured in a season-high 33 points on eye-popping 80 percent shooting from the field (12-for-15) Thursday. The Bucks also received double-digit performances from all but one of the rest of their starting five, as point guard Michael Carter-Williams finished with a nine-point tally on the night. Jabari Parker had a solid return from a foot injury with 14 points, three rebounds, and an assist, while Greg Monroe (17 points) and Khris Middleton (15 points) made significant contributions of their own.
The Bucks fell to 5-7 and now reside in last place in the Eastern Conference’s Central Division. They head to Indiana for a matchup versus the Pacers on Saturday.
LeBron James and Kevin Love, as they have on several occasions already this season, led the way for the Cavs. James stuffed the stat sheet with 27 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, while Love enjoyed his matchup versus the Bucks’ worst-ranked defense in points surrendered to power forwards, posting a huge double-double. Love amassed 24 points, hauled in 15 boards, and collected an assist, a steal, and a block. J.R. Smith managed a season-high 18 points, while Matthew Delladedova filled in admirably for late scratch Mo Williams (leg) by pitching in 13 assists to go along with seven points. Tristan Thompson paced the Cleveland bench with an efficient double-double of his own in 26 minutes, pouring in 12 points and collecting 11 rebounds.
The Cavs improved to 9-3 and remain atop the Eastern Conference’s Central Division. They remain home for a showdown on Saturday night versus the Hawks.
