Apr 8, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) shoots between Cleveland Cavaliers center Timofey Mozgov (20) and forward Kevin Love (0) during the third quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
If the game wasn’t sealed by LeBron James’ mammoth put-back dunk with 5:24 remaining it certainly was when he drilled a step-back three pointer putting the Cleveland Cavaliers up 102-97 with :19 remaining. The Bucks gave it a strong effort but were unable to overcome LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, falling 104-99 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.
The Bucks were without Giannis Antetokounmpo for the first time this season. When asked about Giannis’ absence Jason Kidd simply said it was a coach’s decision. More on that later.
With one young star absent the Bucks relied on another young weapon to fulfill the majority of the scoring responsibilities. Michael Carter-Williams was that star tonight, scoring a Bucks career-high 30 points on 13-22 shooting. He readily attacked the rim, going right after Kyrie Irving and Matthew Dellavedova in the low post.
Despite Carter-William’s efforts the Bucks went into the locker room trailing 52-44, mostly due to Kyrie Irving’s seventeen point second quarter.
The pugnacious Bucks saved their strongest effort for the third quarter.
Led by nine third quarter points apiece from Carter-Williams and Middleton the Bucks fought right back into the game, outscoring the Cavaliers 28-22 in the period.
Unfortunately for the Bucks the Cavs own the Eastern Conference’s second-best record for good reason. They had an answer for every Bucks’ run, often administering their replies in definitive fashion– whether that be LeBron skying through the air for easy dunks, J.R. Smith drilling baseline jumpers, or Kevin Love pulling in back-breaking offensive rebounds.
For the Cavaliers they clinch the Eastern Conference’s second seed, while the Bucks need just one more win to clinch a playoff berth and two more to clinch the sixth seed.
There are always two sides to a game, good and bad. Let’s start our Milwaukee Bucks grades and reactions with the good.
Next: Reactions: The Good