3 takeaways from the Milwaukee Bucks’ galling loss to Cleveland Cavaliers

Jan 21, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 21, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

Jrue Holiday’s big third quarter was not enough to help the Milwaukee Bucks beat Cleveland, but he continued his recent hot streak regardless

With Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton missing the last few games, Jrue Holiday has been asked to do a lot more and has answered the call time and time again.

Early on, Holiday struggled mightily to get going. At halftime, Holiday had a mere eight points on a grueling 4-of-13 shooting. However, the Bucks trailed the Cavaliers by just three and had a shot to make things interesting in the second half. Holiday started being aggressive in the third quarter to give the Bucks some life as he bullied his way to the rim and hit several of his patented step-back jumpers. It looked like a flip had switched compared to the first half, as Holiday tallied 18 points on 8-of-10 field goal shooting in the third quarter alone.

Unfortunately, Holiday’s efforts were not enough to help the Bucks get the comeback win, as the Cavaliers steadied the ship and took this one home. In total Holiday finished with a double-double by tallying 28 points and 11 assists. It was far from his best game, given the putrid first half and a lousy six turnovers, but Holiday did what he could to keep the Bucks within striking distance for a good chunk of this game. Holiday’s All-Star candidacy continues to loom large with three straight games of 28 or more points and seven or more assists.

The Bucks will be back in action to take on the Detroit Pistons on Monday. It remains to be seen if reinforcements will be on the way for the Bucks in the form of Antetokounmpo and Middleton, but one can hope.

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Be sure to catch the Central Division clash at 6:00 p.m. CST on Bally Sports Wisconsin.