Cavaliers Dominate Bucks, Ending Winning Streak: A Challenging Night for Milwaukee

The Milwaukee Bucks experienced a tough night on Wednesday as the Cleveland Cavaliers handed them a decisive 135-95 loss, putting an end to their three-game winning streak. The Cavaliers showcased their dominance and improved their own record to 24-15, while the Bucks dropped to 28-13.

The two teams are set to face each other twice more in the upcoming week, with games scheduled at the Fiserv Forum on January 24 and 26. Unfortunately for the Bucks, they were without their superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo for this matchup.

The Bucks’ head coach Adrian Griffin made the decision to pull his starters halfway through the third quarter, as they struggled to find their rhythm. Damian Lillard led the group with 17 points, but his shooting efficiency was off, going 7-of-20 from the field. Khris Middleton and Malik Beasley also struggled, shooting a combined 2-of-16. The Bucks’ starters had a difficult night, collectively making only 17 of their 47 attempts. Bobby Portis provided a bright spot off the bench with 16 points.

The Cavaliers, led by Donovan Mitchell‘s 31 points and Jarrett Allen‘s double-double with 21 points and 13 rebounds, established their dominance early in the game. They jumped to a commanding 22-2 lead within the first six minutes of play. While the Bucks tried to stage a comeback, they struggled to make shots and ended the first quarter trailing by ten.

Cleveland’s offensive firepower continued to overwhelm the Bucks in the second quarter. Mitchell and Georges Niang combined for 39 first-half points, shooting at an impressive 72% from the field. In contrast, Lillard and Middleton struggled with their shooting, making only four of their 21 attempts in the first half. The Cavaliers entered halftime with a comfortable 66-41 lead.

Despite the Bucks’ efforts to cut into the deficit, the Cavaliers maintained control throughout the second half. Milwaukee’s poor shooting performance, combined with Cleveland’s strong defense, made it nearly impossible for the Bucks to mount a comeback. The Cavaliers held a lead of up to 40 points and ultimately won the game with a 40-point margin.

Griffin admitted that the Bucks’ offensive execution was lacking, mentioning the team’s tendency to settle for low-quality shots and their failure to produce ball movement. Antetokounmpo’s absence affected the team’s rhythm, but Griffin believes the Bucks have the talent to overcome such challenges in the future.

Antetokounmpo’s absence was due to a right shoulder contusion. While his absence was unexpected, the team believes it won’t be a prolonged injury and is treating it as day-to-day for now. This marked the end of Antetokounmpo’s 29-game streak of consecutive appearances.

The Cavaliers’ victory showcased their defensive prowess, as they entered the game with the third-best scoring defense in the league. Their ability to limit the impact of players like Lillard and Middleton was instrumental in securing the win.

The Bucks will need to regroup and learn from this defeat. Griffin emphasized the importance of avoiding early deficits, improving offensive execution, and maintaining strong defensive performances. With Antetokounmpo’s future availability uncertain, the team must adapt and find ways to succeed even without their star player.