Cavaliers Extend Winning Streak to Six Games with 135-95 Blowout Victory over Bucks

CLEVELAND—The Cleveland Cavaliers continued their impressive run of form on Wednesday night, securing a dominant 135-95 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, extending their winning streak to six games.

This triumph marks a significant milestone for the Cavs, who have now won 11 of their last 14 games since announcing on December 15 that starting point guard Darius Garland and starting forward Evan Mobley would miss significant time due to injuries.

The Cavs’ victory was particularly satisfying given their previous defeat to the Bucks on December 29, where they fell 119-111 at home. In that encounter, Bucks stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard led the charge with 34 and 31 points, respectively. However, the Bucks were without Antetokounmpo in the rematch due to a right shoulder contusion, and Lillard could only manage 17 points.

In the first meeting between the two teams this season, All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell led the Cavs with 34 points, while center Jarrett Allen posted a career-high 30 points along with 12 rebounds. Mitchell once again played a crucial role in Wednesday’s victory, reaching the 11,000-point mark in his regular-season career during the third quarter. He finished the game with 31 points, seven assists, and five rebounds. Allen continued his hot streak, notching his 10th consecutive double-double, the best statistical stretch of his career, with 21 points and 13 rebounds.

The Cavs’ triumph snapped the Bucks’ three-game winning streak, dropping their record to 28-13.

Fourth Quarter Highlights:

• Cavs backup forward Georges Niang set a new career high in scoring, reaching 33 points, surpassing his previous best of 24 points.
• Niang’s impressive performance included a 3-pointer with 10:30 remaining in the fourth quarter, giving the Cavs a commanding 116-69 lead, their largest of the game.
• Niang’s finger-roll layup with 7:25 left in the fourth quarter drew cheers from his teammates, with Tristan Thompson mimicking the shot while jogging along the sideline.

Third Quarter Highlights:

• The Cavs repeatedly extended their lead over the Bucks, reaching a 42-point advantage on two separate occasions.
• Mitchell’s layup with 3:23 left in the third quarter and Caris LeVert’s three successful free throws with 1:17 remaining in the quarter were key moments in establishing this significant lead.
• With 8:46 left in the third quarter, Dean Wade’s 3-pointer extended Cleveland’s lead to 80-48, prompting a Bucks timeout.
• Allen’s alley-oop pass from Isaac Okoro, which he tapped into the basket with a volleyball-like move, perfectly illustrated the Cavs’ enjoyment of the lopsided game.

First Half Highlights:

• The Cavs maintained a comfortable lead over the Bucks at halftime, 66-41, thanks in large part to Niang’s outstanding shooting performance.
• Niang had a game-high 20 points at the break, while Mitchell contributed 19 points.
• Niang’s perfect shooting from the floor, including 4-for-4 from 3-point range, pushed his scoring total to a career-high 20 points in the first half.
• Niang’s hot streak continued into the second quarter, as he scored nine points in the opening minutes, including a nifty layup and a 3-pointer from the corner.
• The Cavs extended their lead to 46-25 with Niang’s contributions.
• Mitchell led the Cavs in scoring in the first quarter with 14 points, while Lillard had seven points for the Bucks.

Pregame Information:

• Garland, Mobley, and backup point guard Ty Jerome were ruled out for the Cavs due to injuries. Caris LeVert, listed as questionable to play due to a wrist injury, was ultimately active for the game.
• The Bucks had no injury concerns heading into the matchup.
• Akron native Chris Livingston, drafted by the Bucks in the second round of the 2022 NBA Draft, made an appearance in the game, logging nine minutes but failing to score.
• Three former Cavs players—Robin Lopez, Cameron Payne, and Jae Crowder—were on the Bucks’ roster.
• The Cavs hold a 99-131 all-time record against the Bucks, with a 62-54 home record and a 37-77 road record.
• The two teams split their four meetings last season, winning two games each.

Broadcast Information:

• The game was televised on ESPN and locally on Bally Sports Ohio.
• Radio broadcasts were available on WTAM (1100-AM), WMMS (100.7-FM), and WNZN (89.1-FM).

This victory further solidifies the Cavs’ position as a top contender in the Eastern Conference, as they now sit in fourth place with a 30-16 record. The team’s resilience and ability to overcome adversity, even in the absence of key players, is a testament to their depth and determination.

The Cavs will look to extend their winning streak to seven games when they host the New York Knicks at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Friday night.

Call to Action:

Don’t miss the Cavs’ next exciting home game! Secure your tickets to see the Cavs in action and witness their incredible talent and unwavering spirit. Visit the Cleveland Cavaliers website or call the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse ticket office to purchase tickets and experience the electrifying atmosphere of a Cavs game.