MILWAUKEE: LeBron James scored a season-high 37 points, but the Cavaliers fell in double overtime 108-105 to the Milwaukee Bucks, ending their eight-game winning streak.
The Cavs played from behind most of the night and led for just 24 seconds after halftime. Greg Monroe grabbed an offensive rebound in the final seconds of double overtime, ending any chance at a game-tying 3-pointer to force another overtime.
The Cavs were playing on the second night of a back-to-back, rarely subbed during the overtime sessions and seemed to run out of gas at the end. They managed just three baskets in the second overtime session and shot just 17-of-27 from the free-throw line in the game.
Kevin Love scored 24 points and grabbed 14 rebounds for his 300th career triple-double and James added 12 rebounds, but the Cavs lost for just the second time this season.
James tied the game at 96 on a driving basket with 32 seconds left in the first overtime before blocking Bayless’ attempt at a game winner.
Matthew Dellavedova bumped Bayless off his line on a potential game-winning drive and James blocked the shot, but an inadvertent whistle stalled any chance at a game winner in transition. The Cavs were instead forced to inbound the ball and James missed a long jumper over Giannis Antetokounmpo at the buzzer, sending the game to a second overtime.
The Bucks squandered an 11-point lead over the final 6-plus minutes of the fourth quarter. James tied the game at 88 with 16 seconds left in regulation when the Bucks defense parted the lane, allowing him to drive the middle for an easy basket.
The Bucks had a shot to win it at the buzzer, but Bayless’ jumper over Dellavedova clanked off the rim to force overtime.
The Cavs played from behind much of the night, trailing 64-55 in the third quarter before the reserves brought them back. The Cavs went small to open the fourth and Richard Jefferson caught fire, scoring eight points in the first two minutes to pull within 73-71. But the Bucks didn’t relinquish the lead. Bayless’ 3-pointer from the corner and John Henson’s basket inside pushed the Bucks lead to 82-71 midway through the fourth — the game’s first double-digit lead for either team.
This was the Bucks’ first game all season with their expected starting five of Michael Carter-Williams, Khris Middleton, Antetokounmpo, Jabari Parker and Monroe. Their length and athleticism posed problems for the Cavs throughout the night.
Cavs point guards struggled getting into a rhythm. Mo Williams, who entered averaging 16.9 points, didn’t make his first basket until overtime. Williams and Dellavedova combined to go scoreless in regulation with seven turnovers and 10 assists.
Jefferson played on a sore right ankle he injured in Friday’s win at the New York Knicks, while Smith played with a bruised right hand that was heavily taped before the game.
Jason Lloyd can be reached at jlloyd@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Cavs blog at www.ohio.com/cavs. Follow him on Twitter www.twitter.com/JasonLloydABJ.