Random dribbles following the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 123-105 home loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday.
1. You’re only disappointed in the Cavs if you thought they would win a championship. Otherwise, you realize it’s about going as expected.
2. And yes, still probably better than expected.
3. This game was actually close for quite some time, as the Cavs trailed by just four points early in the fourth quarter. Then the Bucks turned it up energy-wise, showing why they’re considered a true contender once again.
4. Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff summed it up perfectly. “I think they broke our spirit,” he said. “They made us pay for our mistakes. They keep coming.”
5. The Cavs (10-13) were outscored 29-16 in the fourth, and that was the difference. Reigning back-to-back NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo was the biggest difference-maker, leading balanced night for the Bucks with 33 points, including 22 after halftime.
6. For the second time in three nights, the Cavs faced one of the game’s elite forwards. They got Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, Antetokounmpo on Friday. They will get Antetokounmpo on Saturday, also at home.
7. As an interesting aside, Leonard and Antetokounmpo each was drafted with the No. 15 overall pick.
8. Collin Sexton scored 19 points to lead the Cavs. Andre Drummond went for 18 points and nine rebounds. Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen each scored 13, and Taurean Prince and Cedi Osman had 12 apiece. Rookie Isaac Okoro rounded out the double-figure scoring with 10.
9. Usually, that type of balance in scoring leads to a win — or a lot closer finish. But man, the Bucks are no joke.
10. More Bickerstaff: “I think we did a good job. In the second half, we went back to some of those tougher (two-pointers), but I thought overall we did a good job of generating the threes in the first half, when we shot 40-plus percent. We didn’t make as many in the second half. But I thought we generated them the right way and for the most part they were good shots.”
11. The Bucks (14-8) had some trouble getting to Cleveland. They were supposed to leave Thursday, but after sitting on the plane for a bit, they were set home. Apparently, the plane had some mechanical issues. So the Bucks left Friday morning and got to Cleveland in the afternoon.
12. Antetokounmpo on the late arrival: “It was kind of weird. It took us a little bit before we got our rhythm. But each quarter we got better.”
13. Jrue Holiday added 17 for the Bucks. He was a nice offseason pickup. Khris Middleton scored 15, Bobby Portis had 14 and Donte DiVincenzo tacked on 11 points and a career-high 11 rebounds. Antetokounmpo also had 12 boards.
14. DiVincenzo said the delayed flight “took me back to playing AAU, traveling the same day.”
15. So yes, the teams will do it again Saturday. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST. The Cavs are fine. They could even end up 10-19 and still be OK. That’s not ideal, but as long as they make up for it at the end of this grueling stretch they’ll be right back in the playoff race.
BOX SCORE | Bucks 123, Cavaliers 105
