The Cleveland Cavaliers played host to the Milwaukee Bucks, defeating the reigning NBA Champions 115-99.
Wednesday night provided the Cleveland Cavaliers with the opportunity for a statement win. The Milwaukee Bucks came to town and the Cavs had the chance to leap them in the standings with a win. Cleveland trailed by nine points after the 1st quarter, but luckily it did not last.
The Cavs were able to outscore Milwaukee by 17 points in the 2nd, flipping the script on the Bucks and holding a 65-57 lead. It was a 39-point quarter for Cleveland as they drained eight of their 12 first half three-point makes in the quarter. This was the driving force which was able to propel the team into a lead they would never surrender.
The second half provided more of the same as the Cavaliers made seven more shots from deep as they at one point built their lead to 21. There was not stopping the Cavs as they enforced their will on the Bucks and there was nothing they could do about it. Cleveland was able to outscore Milwaukee 50-42 over the final two quarters, cruising to a comfortable 16-point win.
Kevin Love had one of his better games coming off the bench this season. Love scored a team-high 25 points powered by a 5-9 three-point effort in addition to finish gin with nine rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Love was not the only bench player to make an impact as Cedi Osman’s 23 points was second for the Cavaliers on the night. Osman went 6-14 from downtown, contributing to Cleveland’s assault from deep.
Darius Garland was the Cavs highest scoring starter, finishing with 19 points on an efficient 7-12 night from the field and 3-5 from deep. Garland would leave the game with a back injury two separate times, but was still able to return and make an impact. The third year guard also had eight assists in the contest.
