Donovan Mitchell, James Harden carry Cavs into clash vs. Bucks
The Cleveland Cavaliers will travel to Milwaukee to challenge the Bucks on Wednesday, one night after each team recorded an important victory.
Cleveland picked up a convincing 109-94 win over the visiting New York Knicks on Tuesday. The result got the Cavaliers back into the win column after their seven-game winning streak ended on Sunday in Oklahoma City.
"Bringing James on has given us a renewed confidence," Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said. "We understand we're a better team. That spirit, that confidence, it makes you play harder and compete harder. We were missing that edge, that belief."
Mitchell has been an All-NBA level talent this season, averaging 28.6 points, 5.9 assists and 1.5 steals to lead Cleveland. Harden has seemed to fit right in, averaging 18.7 points and 8.7 assists in six games as a Cavalier.
Allen credited Cleveland's attention to detail on the boards.
"Rebounding was a glaring issue in the first two games (against New York)," Allen said. "And every coach made a point of emphasis that 1 through 5 needed to help with the rebounding, especially against Mitchell Robinson. Everybody knows he's one of the best rebounders in the league. And everybody did it. Sam (Merrill) came back and helped me; Jaylon (Tyson) was excellent. It was a 1 through 5 effort tonight."
Milwaukee, which remains without two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf injury), similarly bounced back from a Sunday loss with a strong 128-117 win on Tuesday against the Miami Heat.
It was the Bucks' seventh win in their last nine games, all without Antetokounmpo, who remains without an official timetable for return.
"This was a big response for us. This is what we haven't done this year, get a nice stretch of games going and then the next game we kind of give in," Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers said. "There was stretches where we could have gave in and didn't."
Kevin Porter Jr. took on the scoring load Tuesday, leading the way with 32 points and seven assists. Ryan Rollins and Bobby Portis each scored 21 points while Kyle Kuzma added 19.
"He knows when to attack now," Rivers said of Kuzma. "He knows when to go downhill and make plays. Our shooting allowed Ryan (Rollins) and (Porter) to get downhill."
On the injury front, Max Strus (foot) still is out for Cleveland and has not been cleared for contact. The Bucks saw the return of Myles Turner (calf), although he played just 19 minutes on Tuesday and scored two points.
Cleveland has dominated the series against its division rival lately. The Cavaliers swept the four-game set in 2024-25 and has taken the two contests this season by scores of 118-113 and 118-106.
Antetokounmpo played just 13 minutes against the Cavaliers on Nov. 17, as he suffered a calf strain and did not return. Mitchell led Cleveland with a game-high 37 points.
The numbers favor the offenses in this matchup. Cleveland boasts the third-highest-scoring attack (119.5 ppg) in the NBA, while Milwaukee has the second-highest 3-point percentage (39.1%).