With 0.3 left in the game, Damian Lillard had a chance to give the Milwaukee Bucks a needed win after a 1-4 start to the season, but he couldn't connect.
Following the miss, the Cavaliers secured a 114-113 win, coming back from down 16 points to push the Bucks further down the standings. Though a loss is a loss no matter what, it was nice to see this team compete until the very end amid a handful of blowouts throughout this recent ugly losing streak. That said, let us highlight some positive and negative takeaways from the contest.
Positive - Milwaukee's top tandem looked excellent
Throughout this tough start to the season, plenty has been made about the chemistry - or lack thereof - between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. Although they've been on the same page in spurts, it's been far from consistent. Understanding how important it was to set the tone for the rest of the team, these two came out and looked like the superstar duo they truly are.
Lillard sunk a franchise-tying record 10 3-pointers in the loss, only missing five of his tries en route to scoring 41 points. Before Donovan Mitchell sank the game-winner, a Lillard mid-range jumper put the Bucks ahead. Giannis, meanwhile, had 34 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists. It was welcoming to see these two finally gel in what has been a turbulent season.
Negative - Gary Trent Jr. still struggling to find his shot
Gary Trent Jr. hasn't quite played like the difference-maker Milwaukee Bucks fans envisioned when he was signed. The Bucks are asking a lot of him on both ends of the floor, including the most prominent defensive role of his career, but he's said time and time again that he's up for it. Yet, as he showed in this loss, he's still trying to get himself into a groove.
Offensively, the area where Trent was expected to excel, he struggled. He connected on a mere one of his 10 shot attempts, also finishing with three turnovers and three personal fouls. This is not a new trend, as it's been like this for much of the season. The wing had his open looks, but he simply failed to connect. If he's going to play significant minutes, he's got to bury these good-looking triples.
Positive - Doc Rivers finally made a needed rotation change
With the Milwaukee Bucks' defense getting torched by younger, athletic players, fans were begging Doc Rivers to switch up the rotation to incorporate some youth. After flirting with the idea over the prior two games, Rivers finally gave Andre Jackson Jr. extended minutes over Pat Connaughton, who has fueled some of Milwaukee's defensive struggles.
In 15 minutes, the young Jackson struggled in some areas - totaling three fouls and turnovers apiece - but no matter what, he was constantly hustling and making the right pass while also not shying away from the difficult defensive matchups. Jackson is far from a finished product, but these minutes can do him good as he grows, and Rivers must keep him in the rotation moving forward.
Negative - Bobby Portis is still stuck in the mud
Bobby Portis has been under plenty of fire during Milwaukee's ongoing losing streak, and most of it is completely justified. Not only have the big man's defensive struggles been under a massive spotlight, but he's also struggling to make much of an impact offensively. On 10 shot attempts, he finished with 10 points, missing both of his 3-point attempts.
Against Cleveland, Portis had countless lapses on both ends. In addition to losing his man on several occasions or giving up a bucket, Portis took countless ill-advised shots offensively, calling for the ball only to settle. This isn't the Sixth Man of the Year candidate the Milwaukee Bucks need. Portis must tune up his game or listen to his name being mentioned in trade rumors constantly.
Positive - Taurean Prince snapped out of a brutal slump
After a hot start to the year, newcomer Taurean Prince's production fell off a cliff over these past few games due to his poor shooting. With the Milwaukee Bucks needing a boost, Prince had an offensive resurgence, clocking one of his best games of the young season. The forward finished with 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting, including a red-hot 4-of-5 from 3-point range.
With every other Milwaukee Buck not named Damian Lillard struggling from deep, Prince did what he could to keep the team afloat, but it did not matter in the end. If there is a silver lining from this game, it is that Prince was able to snap his slump. Hopefully this scorching hot showing allows him to build some momentum moving forward.
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