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Find out the scoop on the CAVS from award-winning sports writer Bob Finnan.

Friday, December 20, 2013

Game 25: Bucks at Cavs

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (10-15) 114, MILWAUKEE BUCKS (5-21) 111, OT
Quicken Loans Arena
Friday
Radio/TV: WTAM (1100 AM)/Fox Sports Ohio

WHAT HAPPENED: The Bucks were injury-ravaged. Those thinking this was going to be an easy game had another thing coming. They were missing most of their front court, including Larry Sanders, Zaza Pachulia and Ersan Ilyasova.

Coach Larry Drew said he had three bigs standing, and two of them - John Henson and Miroslav Raduljica - were in the starting lineup.

"You do the math," he joked.

The Bucks, though, fought the Cavs tooth and nail. Right to the final buzzer in overtime. Guard O.J. Mayo missed two 3-point attempts in the last seconds with a chance to send it into double overtime.

The Cavs are on a tear, having won five of the last six games at The Q.

Now, let's see if they can take that feeling on the road where they are 2-11. They flew to Chicago after the game. They'll have to do it without forward Anthony Bennett, who didn't travel. He is sick.

They have been averaging 103 points in their last nine games, 110 in the last five.

When asked about the offensive explosion, Cavs coach Mike Brown said, "Mike Brown can't coach offense."

It was an obvious dig at those in the media who poke at his offensive capabilities.

Guard Dion Waiters, also playing his best basketball of the season, didn't play on Friday. He's suffering from tendinitis in his right wrist. He did travel to Chicago and might play against the Bulls.

The Cavs seem to be figuring it out. Brown is getting a consistent effort out of them.

We'll see how they do against the struggling Bulls, who have lost four in a row.

Cavs center Andrew Bynum had a horrible night. He was 3 of 14 from the field for eight points, seven rebounds and three blocks.

The Cavs worked on ways to get him the ball in practice. They didn't have trouble with the opposition fronting him. The Bucks started 7-foot, 280-pound Miroslav Raduljica to match Bynum's strength. He more than held his own against Bynum, which is a shocker.

UP NEXT: The Cavs travel to Chicago at 8 p.m. Saturday at United Center.

STARTERS
SF Alonzo Gee (6-6, 219) vs. Khris Middleton (6-8, 217)
PF Tristan Thompson (6-9, 236) vs. John Henson (6-11, 220)
C Andrew Bynum (7-0, 294) vs. Miroslav Raduljica (7-0, 280)
SG C.J. Miles (6-6, 231) vs. Giannis Antetokounmpo (6-9, 210)
PG Kyrie Irving (6-3, 193) vs. Brandon Knight (6-3, 189)
INACTIVE LIST
Cavs - G Dion Waiters, F Anthony Bennett
Bucks - G/F Carlos Delfino, C Larry Sanders
OFFICIALS
Jason Phillips, Tony Brown, Violet Palmer

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