Cavaliers vs. Bucks: Play-by-play, highlights and reactions
The Cleveland Cavaliers (19-12) play against the Milwaukee Bucks (13-13) at Fiserv Forum
Game Time: 9:00 PM EST on Saturday December 18, 2021
Cleveland Cavaliers 119, Milwaukee Bucks 90 (Final)
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
Two 20+ point efforts!
@fuboTV | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/DegKR2XB9y – 11:52 PM
Joe Gabriele @CavsJoeG
For #Cavs: Cedi, 23pts, 8-12FG, 5-9 3ptFG, 5reb, 4asst; Garland, 22pts, 10-13FG, 2-4 3ptFG, 6asst, 4reb, stl; Rubio, 15pts, 6-12FG; 10asst, 3stl, blk, +33; Love, 15pts, 7reb, 4asst, stl; Allen, 14pts, 5reb, blk; Stevens, Wade, combined 17pts. pic.twitter.com/AK8qPF6pQY – 11:46 PM
Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Season-high 28 points for Jordan tonight.
🎰: @paysbig pic.twitter.com/0kR1QegoKg – 11:34 PM
Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
#Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer on Jrue Holiday & Grayson Allen not playing tonight:
“We went with a bullpen game and then we never got to the high leverage innings. Those guys have given us so much, including (Friday) night.”
He added Allen is a bit under the weather. – 11:33 PM
Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
Our bedtime snack 🥛 #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/lGFuRZWTfT – 11:32 PM
Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
6 wins in a row.
The longest active winning streak in the NBA. #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/kZn3x38jut – 11:23 PM
Joe Gabriele @CavsJoeG
#Cavs run win streak to six – destroy depleted Bucks, 119-90; have won 10 of last 12, 8-2 over last 10 road games, have won last 6 on road by 20.3ppg; CLE bench, 53 combined pts; CLE, 50%FG, 16 3ptFG, 13-14FT; hold MIL to 39%FG; CLE, 36asst on 45FGM. pic.twitter.com/di2HAke8ZF – 11:20 PM
Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
CAVS WIN! #LetEmKnow – 11:15 PM
Kelsey Russo @kelseyyrusso
That wraps it up here in Milwaukee. #Cavs win 119-90 over the depleted Bucks. Solid defensive effort.
Also, a really good showing for Cavs in how they shared the ball with 36 assists on 45 made shots.
Cedi Osman with a team-high 23 pts. Darius Garland with 22 pts and 6 assists. – 11:13 PM
Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Rest up. See you Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/EEDdC1qB9A – 11:13 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
FINAL: Cavaliers 119, Bucks 90
Jordan Nwora puts up 28 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists in the losing effort. – 11:11 PM
Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
#Bucks fall to the #Cavs 119-90. They’ve got a few days off now before hosting Houston on the 22nd. – 11:11 PM
Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Back-to-back nights with a double-double for Jordan!! pic.twitter.com/V5bNCWDgiz – 11:07 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Mike Budenholzer getting a little of his own medicine tonight. JB Bickerstaff with the use-it-or-lose-it with 3:20 left.
Cavaliers up, 112-87. – 11:06 PM
Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
6⃣,5⃣8⃣9⃣.
Congratulations to @Kevin Love on moving into the top 10 scorers in franchise history! #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/S6DreLVHHY – 10:54 PM
Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
Dating back to the end of the third quarter, the #Bucks are on a 19-6 run to get to within 97-80. Still a long ways to go with 8 minutes left. – 10:54 PM
Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Mamu on cleanup duty. pic.twitter.com/HrFBHvxl3Q – 10:50 PM
Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
#Bucks have cut a 30-point deficit to 18 with 9:52 to go in this one. – 10:48 PM
Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
We’ve got a nice lead! #LetEmKnow – 10:46 PM
Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Not as nice as we’d like. pic.twitter.com/jzfH4x9rTd – 10:45 PM
Justin Garcia @tmjgarcia
The Bucks have lost by 20 or more only 3 times inside this building. They’re 12 minutes away from a 4th. – 10:44 PM
Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Mamu working his way in. pic.twitter.com/ltJvFoaW69 – 10:43 PM
Austin Kent @AustinKent
I don’t know who needs to hear this but Darius Garland is a fascinating and effective 21-year-old guard averaging 19 & 7 with solid shooting splits on an up-and-coming 18-12 Cavs team. I have future nostalgia for this exact moment. – 10:40 PM
Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
#Cavs are now up 30 on the #Bucks – 2:25 to go in the third quarter. – 10:38 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Kevin Love just threw fullcourt outlet pass. It was a little long though. Overthrew Osman and it rocketed off the backboard.
@Darius Garland: “That boy got a cannon though” – 10:38 PM
Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
KLove has the #Cavs up 2⃣0⃣! #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/O6kTow3Vz4 – 10:37 PM
Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
#TheFirstCedi is on 🔥 in MKE!
18 PTS
5 REB
2 AST
1 STL pic.twitter.com/WgiiD6o0rH – 10:36 PM
Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
The #Cavs bench trio of Rubio-Love-Osman gave the #Bucks trouble when the Big Three were available earlier in the month, and they’re at it again – Cleveland is up 83-61. – 10:31 PM
Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
Steal & spin ’em, @Jarrett Allen 🌪️ #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/b32S3N1kV4 – 10:29 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Cavaliers up, 72-57, with 6:56 left in the third quarter.
Bucks continue to struggle offensively, but Cavaliers have yet to put them all the way away. – 10:28 PM
Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
The bucket that gave Jordan a new season high with 16 points & counting. pic.twitter.com/GvO2yA2lvY – 10:27 PM
Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
First double-double of the season for DeMarcus Cousins. #Bucks trail 68-55. – 10:24 PM
Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
If @Darius Garland does his hop, you know it’s going in!
📺 #CavsBucks on @BallySportsCLE pic.twitter.com/S2r87z1cXN – 10:23 PM
Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
DeMarcus Cousins had 10 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 turnovers in 14 first half minutes for the #Bucks – 10:18 PM
Joe Gabriele @CavsJoeG
#Cavs led by as many as 19, still up dbl-digits over shorthanded Bucks – 62-51; CLE, 53%FG, 19asst on 24FGM, 9 T.O.; Cedi, 15pts, 6-7FG, 3-4 3ptFG, 5reb; Garland, 14pts, 6-7FG, 2-2 3ptFG, 4asst; Rubio, 9pts, 4-6FG, game-hi 6asst, 4reb, 3stl, blk, game-hi +23; Allen, 8pts, 3-4FG. pic.twitter.com/OE9dbpyPWn – 10:13 PM
Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Air Jordan. 💨 pic.twitter.com/JUvTVjTxxK – 10:09 PM
Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
Up 1⃣1⃣ at half!
@socios | #LetEmKnow – 10:08 PM
Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Halftime in Milwaukee. pic.twitter.com/UnUC4zuvfK – 10:06 PM
Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
D WAD3 👌 #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/IRKriLVGC9 – 10:06 PM
Kelsey Russo @kelseyyrusso
At the end of the first half, #Cavs have a 62-51 lead over the Bucks.
Cedi Osman has a team-high 15 pts, followed by Darius Garland with 14 pts. Cavs are really sharing the ball in the first half, as they have 19 assists on 24 made shots. – 10:06 PM
Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Stepback Cash. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/pRWqJkB18h – 10:05 PM
Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
A couple of threes finally go in for the #Bucks and they trail 62-51 at the half. – 10:04 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Half: Cavaliers 62, Bucks 51 – 10:03 PM
Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
The #Bucks trimmed an 18-point deficit to 10, now trail the #Cavs 53-41. – 9:57 PM
Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Float it, George!! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/UHsFBFsELC – 9:56 PM
Kelsey Russo @kelseyyrusso
#Cavs training staff is helping Dylan Windler up and he walks to the bench on his own. He is heading back to the locker room with the trainers. – 9:55 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
That is a brutal fall for Dylan Windler.
Went up for a dunk. Thanasis Antetokounmpo went up to try to block it. Both grabbed the rim. Windler slipped off and his head appeared to bounce off the floor. – 9:53 PM
Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
Can’t stop #FROHIO 🔨 pic.twitter.com/Sb1huL9APB – 9:52 PM
Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Two-hand jam for Nwora!! 😤 pic.twitter.com/hVygoNP1Kt – 9:47 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
It has been tough sledding for the Bucks offense tonight. They are 9-of-33 overall and 4-of-14 from 3. They’ve also turned it over 8 times already.
Cavs up, 42-24, with 7:21 left in the first half. – 9:45 PM
Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
DG the PG has 14 points and is a perfect 6-6! 🔥 #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/6eHOaK5XVw – 9:44 PM
Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
It took the #Bucks just about 2:30 minutes to get their first shot up and they scored their first points of the quarter at the 8:59 mark. – 9:43 PM
Jim Paschke @Paschketball
Enjoying Wisconsin-Nebraska volleyball. Lauren Stivrins of Nebraska is the daughter of Alex Stivrins, who played 3 games for the Bucks during the ‘92-93 season. – 9:42 PM
Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
Another turnover for the #Bucks and the fans are trying to start a wave. – 9:41 PM
Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
Shooting 61% in the first! #LetEmKnow – 9:39 PM
Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
The second quarter has begun with four straight turnovers by the #Bucks and #Cavs – 9:38 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Javonte Smart has yet to come out of the game.
Currently on pace for a Tim Frazier Special…Bucks will need to make it closer to get him to 53 minutes though. – 9:37 PM
Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
#TheFirstCedi Touch!
@Cedi Osman | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/gDU1XpcEus – 9:37 PM
Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Work to do. pic.twitter.com/24vMBBWK44 – 9:37 PM
Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
Starters back out to being the second quarter for the #Bucks – 9:36 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
The last thing the Bucks needed tonight was a hot shooting night from the Cavaliers and Cleveland hit 6 3s in the first quarter. Cavs up, 34-20, after one quarter.
Advanced Stats:
OffRtg: 83.3
DefRtg: 147.8
Net Rtg: -64.5
ORB%: 42.9%
DRB%: 63.2% – 9:36 PM
Kelsey Russo @kelseyyrusso
At the end of the first, #Cavs have a 34-20 lead over the Bucks.
Darius Garland leads Cleveland with 12 pts, shooting 5-of-5 from the field and 2-of-2 from 3. Cedi Osman has 10 pts, shooting 4-of-4 from the field.
Cavs are also grabbing the defensive rebounds, as they have 12. – 9:36 PM
Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
The #Bucks made just 7 of their 26 shots (4 of 13 from behind the three-point line). – 9:36 PM
Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
The #Cavs lead 34-20 after one here at Fiserv Forum. #Bucks were led by Jordan Nwora’s six points. – 9:34 PM
Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
Looks like the #Bucks will be going with an 8-man game today. Twitter does not seem to like the options therein. – 9:31 PM
Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
12 points on 5-5 FG in the first quarter?
Sounds like @Darius Garland. #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/c318JuqfpW – 9:30 PM
Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
Semi Ojeleye checks in for the #Bucks – first action since November. – 9:27 PM
Rick Noland @RickNoland
Gonna need basketball reference for some of these Bucks 😃 – 9:27 PM
Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Boogie down for three!! 👌 pic.twitter.com/dlNkasZQ6G – 9:26 PM
Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
11-0 run? 11-0 run. 👀 #LetEmKnow – 9:26 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Bucks down, 22-15, with 4:01 left in the first quarter.
Offense has been a bit of a struggle and defense has not been good enough thus far. – 9:25 PM
Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
Love a buzzer-beater 👌
@Kevin Love | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/2XLtprqoef – 9:25 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Celtics improve to 4-5 in December gauntlet with tonight’s win. Games left:
vs. Phi
vs. Cle
@ MIL
@ MIN
vs. LAC
vs. PHX – 9:25 PM
Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
A string of #Bucks turnovers has the #Cavs up 20-15 now… – 9:24 PM
Kelsey Russo @kelseyyrusso
#Cavs Darius Garland with an early 12 points here in the first quarter after that layup. He has 12 of the Cavs’ 18 pts. – 9:24 PM
Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
Thanasis Antetokounmpo checks in on WWE night. pic.twitter.com/xa8veGozcq – 9:22 PM
Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
Pat Connaughton is ready to check in for the #Bucks – 9:20 PM
Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
DG open behind the arc? That’s a bucket.
📺 #CavsBucks on @BallySportsCLE pic.twitter.com/vTTjPxai07 – 9:17 PM
Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Boogie Steals. George slams!! pic.twitter.com/KKjxzmI56I – 9:16 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Jordan Nwora getting loose early. He has two 3s and leads the Bucks in scoring with six of their 10 points.
Bucks up, 10-6, with 9:12 left in the first quarter. – 9:15 PM
Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
#Bucks up 10-6 early as Jordan Nwora and DeMarcus Cousins are again active early offensively. – 9:14 PM
Chris Fedor @ChrisFedor
Who the heck are these guys playing for the Bucks?!?! – 9:13 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
George Hill and DeMarcus Cousins combine on a steal and Hill gets a dunk for the game’s first points. – 9:12 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Bucks-Cavaliers. pic.twitter.com/4AArXuGvxk – 9:11 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
This is unreal. It’s WWE Night in Milwaukee tonight.
And they are having @DMcIntyreWWE do the starting lineups. It appears it was prerecorded because he was not here in person BUT he did all of the starters. And nailed the pronunciation of Mamukelashvili. – 9:10 PM
Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Locked in.🔒 pic.twitter.com/uT0qFR3Yoo – 9:02 PM
Justin Garcia @tmjgarcia
Only 8 players warming up for the Bucks 18 minutes before tip – 8:52 PM
Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
Making his first career start for the #Cavs… 🐶 pic.twitter.com/O5jpwu2TED – 8:45 PM
Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Your Saturday Night Starters vs. Cavs: pic.twitter.com/W5SrgEhxB0 – 8:42 PM
Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
Jrue Holiday is not inactive for the #Bucks, but he’s going to get a breather.
Tonight’s starters:
Javonte Smart
George Hill
Jordan Nwora
Sandro Mamukelashvili
DeMarcus Cousins
Rodney Hood (Achilles contusion) IS listed as inactive tonight. – 8:38 PM
Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Jordan Nwora has reached double figures in scoring in each of his last two games including a double-double last night.
🎥: @SociosHoops pic.twitter.com/ZhHWowAeah – 8:35 PM
Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
First five in Milwaukee 🖐️ #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/sStamE7dfy – 8:21 PM
Kelsey Russo @kelseyyrusso
#Cavs starters for tonight here in Milwaukee: Darius Garland, Lamar Stevens, Lauri Markkanen, Dean Wade and Jarrett Allen – 8:20 PM
Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Mamu getting that pregame work.
🎥: @SociosHoops pic.twitter.com/4Kxfn2hNJW – 8:11 PM
Marla Ridenour @MRidenourABJ
Updated with comments from coach J.B. Bickerstaff: Cavaliers place rookie Evan Mobley in COVID-19 health and safety protocols beaconjournal.com/story/sports/p… via @beaconjournal – 8:08 PM
Justin Garcia @tmjgarcia
It’s @WWE night at @FiservForum
8p tip for @Milwaukee Bucks vs Cavs
Getting you set w/ Bucks shootaround at 7:00 before joining @DaveKoehnPxP & @BenBrust on the Bucks Radio Network pic.twitter.com/mhgz9pg5Kg – 8:07 PM
Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Boogie with the classic look.
📸: @MotorolaUS pic.twitter.com/plLHJImGyB – 7:50 PM
Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Rematch against the 4th place Cavs tonight!!
🔄 @BetwayUSA pic.twitter.com/uleTRfByPH – 7:34 PM
Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
Regarding forwards Thanasis Antetokounmpo & Semi Ojeleye, #Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer is hopeful they can provide some minutes if they get through pregame warmups OK. – 7:22 PM
Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
#Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer said Khris Middleton is “close” to returning but isn’t there yet – they’ll give him tonight plus the next three off days to continue to heal. Bucks play the Rockets on the 22nd. – 7:21 PM
Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Feels good to be back home.
📸: @MotorolaUS pic.twitter.com/SvPPsAV3La – 7:17 PM
Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
From @BKN_NETSPR: Tonight’s game marks the first time the Nets have started three rookies (David Duke Jr., Kessler Edwards and Cam Thomas) in a game since 4/15/09 at New York:
Ryan Anderson, Chris Douglas-Roberts and Brook Lopez (via Elias). – 7:07 PM
Kevin Chouinard @KLChouinard
For tomorrow’s game vs. Cleveland:
Bogdan Bogdanovic (right ankle sprain) is questionable.
Trae Young (left ankle soreness) is questionable.
Solomon Hill (right hamstring tear) is out.
De’Andre Hunter (right wrist injury recovery) is out. – 5:50 PM
Cleveland Cavaliers @cavs
Keep the streak alive!
🆚 @Milwaukee Bucks
🕘 9:00PM ET
📺 @BallySportsCLE
@betwayusa | #GetItLocked pic.twitter.com/29YFb1T1A9 – 5:30 PM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Ime Udoka says Justin Jackson will play tonight. The Celtics announced his signing via a hardship waiver a short time ago. Jackson was on the Bucks for their playoff run last season. – 5:19 PM
Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Going for NINE straight wins over the Cavs tonight!!
📝: @Jockey pic.twitter.com/tDL4ZSpAOd – 5:03 PM
Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
Finishing our 5th game in 7 days tonight at @FiservForum!!
🎰 @paysbig pic.twitter.com/xFDbQmhV7Q – 4:12 PM
Alex Kennedy @AlexKennedyNBA
How did the Cleveland Cavaliers go from lovable underdogs to dominant bullies? @Spencer Davies breaks down the team’s evolution and balanced attack: basketballnews.com/stories/from-l… – 3:36 PM
New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
Jonas Valančiūnas was mic’d up for @BallySportsNO in last night’s win vs the Bucks! 🎙 pic.twitter.com/pBXw7DdmEO – 3:24 PM
Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Semi Ojeleye, however, have been upgraded to probable to play tonight for the #Bucks with their respective calf strains. – 3:20 PM
Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
Khris Middleton has already been ruled out for tonight’s game against the #Cavs – he was probable last night in New Orleans.
Rodney Hood, however, is doubtful for the #Bucks with a right Achilles contusion. – 3:19 PM
Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks
We know Bobby loves a Championship belt. 😂
Come celebrate WWE Night at @FiservForum during tonight’s Bucks game. pic.twitter.com/PeWrW0XwtO – 3:03 PM
