Second confrontation in two days for the Riders and the Bucks. Cleveland wanted to continue its good momentum but Milwaukee, although deprived of Giannis Antetokounmpo (adductor), gave everything to finally grab a victory after five losses in a row.
It's Donovan Mitchell with a “Eurostep” who opens the scoring in this match, imitated by Bobby Portis to whom Darius Garland will respond from afar. The two Cavaliers find themselves twice to try to widen the gap while the activity of Evan Mobley, who causes fouls, offers Cleveland momentum to climb to +8. Milwaukee recovers thanks to Portis, then Damian Lillard at 3-points, followed by AJ Green. The Bucks thus managed to get back in front, but Mitchell scored 13 points at the start of the match and severely punished the opponent's turnovers.
The second quarter belongs to Cleveland. Evan Mobley offers great energy to his team with a counter on Delon Wright and a huge “dunk” in a counter-attack led from start to finish by the strong winger. The responses from Green and Portis give the Bucks hope of getting back on track, but Garland is having a big night, and the Cavaliers inflict an 11-0 punctuated by another huge “dunk”, this time from Jarett Allen who takes advantage of the opposing wanderings under the circle. Cleveland is +13 at halftime.
Returning from the locker room, the “drives” and the distant address of Damian Lillard allow the Bucks to return to -6. Milwaukee is more combative, but Isaac Okoro and Garland try to keep the Bucks at bay by finding the target from afar. The former Portland star sends a huge logo shot. At -5, Bobby Portis and Brook Lopez, under the circle, offer this meeting the promise of a tense fourth quarter: Milwaukee even goes back in front, 91-89!
Darius Garland as boss
The fourth quarter will be very contested since George Niang, then Ty Jerome with the fault, respond to the activity of a concentrated Portis at mid-distance. Definitely in good shape, AJ Green gives the Bucks a +7 lead with a huge first-intention long shot. Garland, again, converts his 6th long-distance shot of the evening and Cleveland comes back to two points. Many possessions were wasted by both teams, and as money time approached, Milwaukee was unable to extend its lead.
Evan Mobley shines again and offers himself a magnificent “and one” with a shot suspended in the air, in contact with a distraught Brook Lopez. The Bucks lost too many balls in this match like Damian Lillard, who made up for it with two converted possessions to regain the advantage. But the leader makes an unfortunate return to the zone which offers the last momentum to Cleveland. Darius Garland takes the end of the match on his own and finishes from a distance again. And it is finally Jarett Allen who closes the encounter on a last attempt by Lillard with a “clutch” counter under the hoop, to offer victory to the Cavaliers 116-114!
Cleveland confirms its great start to the season with an 8th victory in as many games. Milwaukee is sinking even further, with a 6th defeat in a row for Doc Rivers' men.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Darius Garland as boss. The leader was able to erase the delicate match of Donovan Mitchell (14 points at 5/15), who disappeared after the first quarter. From far and up close, he was able to distribute his 39 points throughout the match, scoring 7 shots from distance, including two in “money time”.
– Damian Lillard tried everything. After scoring 41 points two days ago, the leader will have tried everything again this evening: 36 points at 5/9 from distance, plus 7 assists. But his 8 ball losses are almost symbolic, because deprived of Giannis Antetokounmpo, the leader found himself too alone in the direction of the game.
– The Bucks, last in the East. With this sixth consecutive defeat, Doc Rivers' troop is at 1 victory for 6 losses. And therefore in 15th and last place in the Eastern Conference…
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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.
