Milwaukee Bucks Grades and Reactions to 108-90 Loss to Cleveland Cavaliers

Mar 22, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) and guard Jerryd Bayless (19) apply defensive pressure on Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) in the second quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

This has become downright depressing. Despite playing an astounding first half in which they thoroughly outplayed the Cleveland Cavaliers to the tune of 53-44; the Bucks came out in the second half and let the Cavs have their way–allowing an 8-0 run to end the third quarter and an 18-5 run to start the fourth. The Cavaliers easily beat the Bucks Sunday afternoon 108-90.

If you could bottle up the Bucks’ performance in the first half and put it on display for the NBA world they would have seen a team with superb passing (8 assists on first 8 made field goals), a defensive-minded pass first point guard (Carter-Williams started the game with 3 assists and 2 steals in 6 minutes), and an athletic, active defense.

Unfortunately NBA games last for 48 minutes, not 24. Led by a 6-0 LeBron James late third quarter  run that saw two easy layups and one thunderous dunk and a mid-fourth quarter stretch that saw the Cavs hit four three-pointers on four possessions (stretching their lead from 81-76 to 93-78) the Cavs had the look of a team that toyed around for almost three quarters. But when the game reached “winning time”? The Bucks were roasted venison.

That’s the harsh reality for this depleted Bucks team. They are good. Giannis had nine or more rebounds for the fourth straight game and Carter-Williams scored 19 on an efficient 9-14, but they’re not that good. Certainly not good enough to compete with the Eastern Conference’s favorite son (LeBron James) and his Cleveland Cavaliers.

That’s six straight losses for the Milwaukee Bucks, who fall to 34-36 and face two absolute must-win home games against the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers later this week.

Rain or shine, we always have your Milwaukee Bucks grades and reactions; let’s start with the good.

Next: Reactions: The Good