Cavaliers Edge Out Bucks in Thrilling Home Opener

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cleveland Cavaliers triumphed over the Milwaukee Bucks 118-113 in a riveting home opener on Sunday night. The Cavaliers built an early lead, but the Bucks rallied back from an 18-point deficit to tie the game late in the fourth quarter.

Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo led all scorers with 40 points and nearly achieved a triple-double, falling just one assist short. Cleveland’s Evan Mobley contributed significantly with 23 points, hitting all 12 of his free throw attempts, a feat last achieved by LeBron James in 2014.

The game began competitively with both teams locked in defensively. The Bucks secured a narrow 31-29 lead at the end of the first quarter, showcasing strong play from Gary Trent Jr. The Cavaliers responded in the second quarter, with Donovan Mitchell driving to the hoop for an impressive slam that set the tone for a run that gave them a 65-56 halftime lead.

The third quarter saw Milwaukee mounting a comeback as Antetokounmpo led a 17-2 run, tying the game at 98-all with a powerful dunk from Ryan Rollins. However, the Cavaliers quickly regained their composure, scoring seven consecutive points to seal the win.

Cleveland is now 2-1 following this victory, while Milwaukee falls to 2-1 as well. The Bucks were without key players Kevin Porter Jr. and Kyle Kuzma, impacting their performance. Antetokounmpo emphasized the need for resilience as the team heads into their next matchup against the New York Knicks on Tuesday.

Mobley underscored the importance of teamwork and determined play leading to the Cavs’ victory. “Every point mattered tonight, and we stepped up when it mattered most,” he said after the game.