Allen’s late put-back waved off as depleted Cavaliers edged 118-116 by Bucks
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Milwaukee, WI – Playing without three starters on the back end of a road back-to-back, the Cleveland Cavaliers nearly stole a victory Friday night before falling 118-116 to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Cleveland’s final possession began when Dennis Schroder’s runner rimmed out with under two seconds left. Jarrett Allen secured the rebound and flipped in a right-handed hook, but video review confirmed the ball was still on his fingertips when time expired.
Who was missing
The Cavaliers were without Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and Evan Mobley, while the Bucks rested Giannis Antetokounmpo and Taurean Prince. The absences turned the contest into a patchwork affair dominated by role players and improvised lineups.
Allen keeps rolling
Allen powered Cleveland with 27 points on 10-of-15 shooting and 11 rebounds, repeatedly outmuscling Myles Turner in the paint. Schroder provided 26 points and five assists despite turning an ankle late, and Keon Ellis, Sam Merrill and Jaylon Tyson each added 14.
Bucks’ balanced answer
Kevin Porter Jr. hit a mid-range jumper with 20 seconds to play to give Milwaukee its final lead. He finished with 20 points, followed by Ryan Rollins with 18. Kyle Kuzma scored 17 and knocked down five three-pointers as the Bucks shot 42.2 percent from beyond the arc.
Game flow
Cleveland opened strong but trailed by 12 midway through the third quarter before mounting a rally that produced a one-point edge entering the fourth. The final period was a possession-by-possession grind until Porter’s jumper and the dramatic closing sequence.
The Cavaliers, now 37-23, have dropped two of their last three while navigating five games in seven nights.
Source: Hoops Wire
