To resume the course of the regular season and forget the enchanted parenthesis of Las Vegas, the Bucks had the best possible schedule: to face the Cavaliers, the best team in the league. But it was without Damian Lillard, injured in the calf. And it showed with a poor start to the match, between Giannis Antetokounmpo who was forcing himself and a defense that was a little in difficulty (29-20).
In the second quarter, the Greek recovered and won several times against Evan Mobley. But that cannot solve the defensive problems, facing the Cavaliers who are making it rain at 3-points. The baskets follow one another, the gap grows and the break comes at the right time for Milwaukee (69-51).
But perhaps again in Las Vegas, the Bucks will not be able to react, drowned under the award-winning baskets of Dean Wade, Darius Garland or Max Strus. Doc Rivers' troops have only one answer: Giannis Antetokounmpo.
It's too little and the last action of the third quarter symbolizes this game well. Caris LeVert scores a basket, probably the last for Cleveland we think, but he steals the ball on the throw-in, then Donovan Mitchell hits a 3-pointer (103-76). For a few moments, the latter and Evan Mobley remained on the floor in the last quarter, but the two coaches understood and sent the replacements for a final act without interest. Third victory in a row for Cleveland (124-101), which has won its three duels against the Bucks this season.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Another 3-pt shower. It is once again a meeting which confirms the status of Kenny Atkinson's men. They are the most skillful at 3-points and on nights like that, they make the difference that way. The Cavaliers shot at 20/47 because the last quarter was less serious. Before that, they had been insolent with an excellent 18/37.
– Giannis Antetokounmpo alone in the world. The Greek started slowly, but then he was the only one to exist offensively. He and Khris Middleton, for example, scored 22 of Milwaukee's 25 points in the third quarter… In addition, the Bucks did not keep pace with 3-pointers in the first period, not to mention that they lost no less than 20 balloons. In short, there were too many misses and the double MVP leaves Ohio with 33 points at 13/22 shooting and 14 rebounds, well orphaned by Damian Lillard in this meeting.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
