Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker continued to throw down highlight reel dunks, but Jason Kidd’s Milwaukee Bucks weren’t able to keep up with the Cleveland Cavaliers’ long-range shooting.
With three-point specialists Jerryd Bayless and Khris Middleton both sidelined with injury, the Bucks (32-46) shot just 25 percent from beyond the arc in a 109-80 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers (56-22) Tuesday at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Cavaliers made 50 percent of their three-point attempts, led by J.R. Smith, who drained seven triples.
“They’re the best team in the East and they played at a very high level early,” Jason said. “Good teams, when they see a team come out a little slow, they want to end that early and they did.”
Despite the game getting out of hand early, Antetokounmpo still led all players in two categories, scoring 22 points and collecting 14 rebounds. Antetokounmpo also had a dunk at the 7:50 mark in the first quarter in which he raised the ball high above his head, took off from near the free throw line and flew past multiple Cavaliers defenders for the slam.
At the end of the first quarter, Antetokounmpo added another big dunk, but the Bucks already trailed 33-19. With 4:33 remaining in the second quarter, Parker joined in on the throwdown party, but the Bucks deficit stood at 20 points.
Late in the second quarter, Rashad Vaughn, who was starting a second consecutive game with Bayless and Middleton out, knocked down a trey to reduce the deficit to 65-41. On the night, however, Vaughn was only 2-of-10 from the three-point arc, as he tried to go shot-for-shot with Cleveland’s sharpshooters.
Jason encouraged Vaughn to be more aggressive in his expanded role.
“I was talking to him about understanding when you’re open, you have to shoot it, and using the dribble to be positive and be aggressive,” Jason said. “And not to use the dribble to get into traffic. He’s got to be able to shoot the ball when he’s open. He’s a rookie so he’s going to make those mistakes.”
At halftime, Milwaukee trailed 67-43. Antetokounmpo tried to power the Bucks back in the third quarter, going 5-for-5 for 11 points with five rebounds and three assists. Jason’s crew shot 52.6 percent from the field, but the Cavs hit four times from deep and held a 26-24 scoring advantage in the third.
When the fourth arrived, the Cavs held a commanding 93-67 lead and the final period passed with little fanfare. The Bucks tried to climb back using the three ball, but they came up empty, going 0-for-6 from range.
“We’ve got to play harder,” Jason said. “Our energy…against the best you’ve got to be ready to compete. If not, you’re going to get destroyed. And that’s what happened tonight.”
NEXT UP
After a five-game home stand, the Bucks travel on the road to take on another Eastern Conference playoff team in the Boston Celtics (45-32) Friday.
The Celtics were on the road for five straight games before a home game against the Pelicans that tips off Wednesday night. The Celtics had a big win at the Golden State Warriors earlier in the week and followed it up with a win at the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Bucks are 1-2 against the Celtics this season. In the two teams’ most recent meeting, on Feb. 25, the Bucks lost 112-107 in Boston. Milwaukee won against Boston at home on Feb. 9 112-111. In an early season matchup, on Nov. 10, the Bucks lost at home 99-83.
The game tips off at 6:30 p.m. CT on Fox Sports Wisconsin.
