{{pageModel.leagueAbbr}} {{pageModel.subtitle}} | Las Vegas Review-Journal
National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Milwaukee 96, Cleveland 80
When: 7:00 PM ET, Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Where: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
Officials: #17 Joe Crawford, #70 Brent Barnaky, #44 Eli Roe
Attendance: 20562

Bucks 96, Cavaliers 80: Brandon Knight scored 26 points on 11-of-19 shooting as visiting Milwaukee topped Cleveland in a matchup of short-handed clubs.

O.J. Mayo scored 15 points in 23 minutes off the bench for the Bucks, who played without guard Jerryd Bayless (knee), forward Ersan Ilyasova (concussion) and center Larry Sanders (illness). Giannis Antetokounmpo collected 14 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three blocks as Milwaukee snapped a streak of four straight losses in Cleveland.

Kyrie Irving scored 25 points on 9-of-23 shooting for the Cavaliers, who were without stars LeBron James (knee) and Kevin Love (back) as well as reserve forward Shawn Marion (ankle). Matthew Dellavedova scored 11 points, Tristan Thompson tallied 10 points and 13 boards and Dion Waiters added 10 points off the bench as Cleveland lost for the fourth time in five games since losing center Anderson Varejao to a torn Achilles' tendon.

The Bucks' lead reached 76-54 early in the fourth quarter before Milwaukee went scoreless for more than three minutes and Irving led the Cavaliers back within 11. Knight hit a 3-pointer to stretch the margin to 87-73 with 3:04 remaining, and the Bucks closed it out.

Milwaukee went 7-for-9 from 3-point range in the first quarter and closed the period with an 11-2 run for a 31-18 edge. Cleveland trimmed the margin to 52-47 at halftime before falling apart in the third quarter and being outscored 19-7.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Cleveland's seven points in the third quarter matched the fewest by any team in a quarter this season. … Thompson has recorded double-doubles in four of his five starts. … The Bucks improved to 10-10 on the road, doubling last season's win total away from home.

Top Game Performances
 
Milwaukee   Cleveland
Brandon Knight 26 Scoring Kyrie Irving 25
Giannis Antetokounmpo 5 Assists Matthew Dellavedova 4
Giannis Antetokounmpo 8 Rebounds Tristan Thompson 13
Giannis Antetokounmpo 3 Free Throws Made Kyrie Irving 6
Khris Middleton 3 Steals Mike Miller 2
Giannis Antetokounmpo 3 Blocks Brendan Haywood 2
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Milwaukee 96 44.4 11-25 5-10 25 54 6 10 10
Cleveland 80 34.1 8-31 14-16 19 49 5 5 13
Upcoming Games
  • Cleveland will play their next game on the road against Charlotte. The Cavaliers have a W/L % of .667 after a win and .429 after a loss.
  • Milwaukee will play their next game at home against Indiana. The Bucks have a W/L % of .438 after a win and .588 after a loss.