The Bucks fall to the Cavs 124-101
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The Bucks fall to the Cavs 124-101

Posted on by Amelia Pressman

CLEVELAND (AP) — Donovan Mitchell scored 27 points, Darius Garland added 16 and the Cleveland Cavaliers went 15-1 at home with a 124-101 win over the Milwaukee Bucks for the first time since winning on Friday night played in the NBA cup.

Cleveland is 3-0 this season against Milwaukee, which was without All-Star guard Damian Lillard because of a calf strain.

Evan Mobley scored 15 points and Cleveland made 20 three-pointers, improving its league-best record to 24-4.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 33 points and 14 rebounds for the Bucks, who may need a few more days to shake off their collective hangover after Tuesday’s Cup victory in Las Vegas.

Bucks Cavaliers Basketball

AP News

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) dunks over Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (right) during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

With Lillard out, the Bucks were without their second-best player and 25.7 points per game. Milwaukee’s starting guards – Andre Jackson Jr. and AJ Green – combined for 0 of 9 goals.

Takeaways

Bucks: Coach Doc Rivers doesn’t believe Lillard’s injury is “serious” and the team is cautious. … Rivers said it was “weird” to win a tournament and resume play. The turnaround didn’t give Milwaukee’s players much time to recover. Rivers hopes the league will address the narrow window in the future.

Cavaliers: Max Strus made his season debut after being sidelined with an ankle injury. He finished with nine points in 19 minutes.

Bucks Cavaliers Basketball

AP News

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dunks between Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome (2) and center Jarrett Allen during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in Cleveland (31). (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Key moment

After Strus made a three-pointer, Caris LeVert dropped a layup and then deflected Milwaukee’s incoming pass. The ball found its way to Mitchell, who sank a three-pointer with 1.1 seconds left in the third quarter, bringing the Cavs to 27 points.

Key statistics

Antetokounmpo was named MVP of the Cup, the ninth trophy the eight-time All-Star and two-time league MVP has won during his career – the most for any player. Michael Jordan and LeBron James each won eight.

Bucks Cavaliers Basketball

AP News

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) shoots over Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Next

The Bucks host Washington on Saturday. It’s also a back-to-back for the Cavaliers hosting Philadelphia.

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