CLEVELAND, Ohio — Cleveland Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff used the term resiliency to describe the team’s six-game road trip. They showed it again Saturday. Only it wasn’t enough.
The undermanned Cavaliers, playing without seven players for the second consecutive game, capped their exhausting 10-day journey with a 100-90 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. The Cavs went 2-4 on the longest road trip of the season — a respectable mark given the obstacles they faced throughout.
On Saturday night, all Bickerstaff wanted was a chance in the fourth quarter. He asked his team to make it a choppy, physical and ugly game. Playing against the league’s top-ranked offense, the Cavs weren’t going to win a high-scoring matchup.
Down by 19 points at one point in the first half, the Cavs surged back to tie the game with a 21-2 sprint. But the Bucks responded with a 10-0 run to finish the half, taking a lead into the locker room.
The Cavs kept pushing. They made the Bucks — playing without back-to-back reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo who suffered a scary fall the previous night and was dealing with back spasms — uncomfortable throughout the night, holding them to 44% from the field and 33% from 3-point range. They forced 16 turnovers. Still, they couldn’t ever get over the hump. Their lone lead came two minutes into the game.
“They gave us what they had tonight,” Bickerstaff said. “Asking guys to play heavy minutes, carry heavy burdens, and they scrapped and they competed. We just couldn’t manufacture enough points. I thought our defense was solid, but we just struggled to manufacture some points and find some easy buckets tonight.”
Andre Drummond scored 26 points to go with 24 rebounds in 41 minutes, his 10th straight game with a double-double to open the season.
“I think it’s a matter of him being an initiator of the force. And when he’s the initiator of the force, there’s nobody in this league who can guard him,” Bickerstaff said of Drummond. “I think we saw that tonight and against Memphis. When he decides to put his chin down and play with that force, he’s unguardable. It makes his finishes easier, he should get to the free throw line more. I think there were some opportunities for some and-ones or at least some whistles tonight that he didn’t get. But if he keeps going, he’ll get those calls and get to the free throw line even more.”
Damyean Dotson, playing out of position at point guard once again, tallied 21 points and eight assists on an ankle that’s still less than 100 percent. Larry Nance Jr. chipped in with 17 points. He also added to his league-leading steal total with four more.
Milwaukee was led by Khris Middleton, who rebounded from a slow start to finish with a team-high 27 points. Bobby Portis, starting in Antetokounmpo’s usual spot, finished with 17 points, 11 rebounds, four steals and three assists.
During the road trip, the Cavs rallied against Atlanta and Memphis, showing their makeup. They dealt with injuries, used unconventional lineups and asked more than usual from some guys. Collin Sexton was inactive for his second straight game because of a left ankle injury, leaving the Cavs two healthy guards, neither of whom are natural playmakers.
Considering everything they encountered away from Cleveland, the Cavs had plenty of built-in excuses. But never used them. They can get on the plane and head back home with their heads held high and chests puffed out.
The Cavs are quickly becoming the team Bickerstaff envisioned at the start of the season.
“I feel really good about this team, to be honest with you,” Bickerstaff said. “The things we say that matter most to us, our guys have continued to show. They are competitive, they are selfless, they are together. We just ran into something that it’s difficult to overcome. We put ourselves in position. We had to make obviously some huge adjustments on the fly as far as game plan and style of play and those types of things. And the guys bought in and gave it all they have. So we continue to play this way, we get healthy, we’re gonna be a hard out every night.”
20-20 club
Drummond became the first Cavalier to record a 20-20 game since Anderson Varejao in 2012.
Second chance points
The Bucks entered the game ranked sixth in second-chance points. They showed why, using their length, athleticism and activity to pull in 11 offensive rebounds, which led to 16 second-chance points.
Up next
The Cavs will return home for the first time in the new year, hosting the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
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New Cavs face masks for sale: Here’s where you can buy Cleveland Cavaliers-themed face coverings for coronavirus protection, including a single mask ($14.99) and a 3-pack ($24.99). All NBA proceeds donated to charity.
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