The Cleveland Cavaliers narrowly defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 114-113 on Saturday night, maintaining their unbeaten streak and improving to 7-0 this season. Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 30 points, hitting a critical jumper with just 0.3 seconds remaining to clinch the win.
Mitchell’s late heroics came after Damian Lillard had given the Bucks a one-point lead with a step-back jumper in the final seconds. Lillard, who scored 41 points and made 10 of his 15 three-point attempts, was a dominant force throughout the game, while Giannis Antetokounmpo contributed 34 points, 16 rebounds, and nine assists.
The Bucks, now 1-5, built an early 16-point lead in the first quarter, shooting efficiently from beyond the arc. However, Cleveland responded with balanced scoring and resilience, even while missing key players like Caris LeVert due to a sore knee.
The Cavaliers were one win away from tying their best start in franchise history, set during the 1976-77 season. Evan Mobley supported Cleveland’s effort with 14 points and seven rebounds, while Jarrett Allen added 15 points and 12 boards.
Cleveland’s depth made a difference, as Sam Merrill added 17 points off the bench and Isaac Okoro contributed 13 points and eight rebounds, helping offset Milwaukee’s powerhouse duo. Mitchell’s game-winning shot was set up after an inbounds pass from Mobley, during which Mitchell narrowly avoided a backcourt violation, recovered possession, and nailed a 19-footer.
Milwaukee’s loss extended their losing streak to five games, despite a remarkable effort from Lillard and Antetokounmpo. Khris Middleton remained absent, recovering from offseason ankle surgery, and the Bucks struggled to find consistent scoring support beyond their stars. Gary Trent Jr., starting in the backcourt, scored just three points on 1-for-10 shooting.
The Bucks’ three-point shooting, which had been inconsistent in previous games, showed improvement as they made 18 of 39 attempts from deep, with Taurean Prince going 4-for-5 from long range and finishing with 16 points. However, Cleveland’s defensive adjustments limited Milwaukee’s effectiveness in the closing minutes and set the stage for Mitchell’s clutch shot.
