Bucks-Cavaliers Preview

By NOEY KUPCHAN
Posted Mar 29 2012 1:35PM

After getting off to a slow start with his new team, Monta Ellis broke out in a big way in the Milwaukee Bucks' latest game.

The Bucks have to like their chances of climbing into Eastern Conference playoff position if he can keep it up down the stretch.

Following two off days after five games in six nights, visiting Milwaukee opens another busy stretch Friday seeking a sixth consecutive win over the struggling Cleveland Cavaliers.

While Ellis averaged just 12.2 points on 34.2 percent shooting in his first six games after coming over from Golden State, he carried the Bucks during Tuesday's 108-101 win over Atlanta. Ellis posted 33 points on 15-of-24 from the field to go with eight assists as Milwaukee (23-27) concluded its busy stretch 2-3.

"It was only a matter of time and the time was (Tuesday)," coach Scott Skiles said of Ellis. "He was scoring the ball. He was active. He made big shots. When he was covered, he passed it."

Milwaukee, which begins a set of three games in four days Friday, sits in ninth place in the East - 2 1/2 games in back of eighth-place New York. That margin could prove easier to cut into with Ellis in a groove.

"I was light on my feet. I was just moving. I went into one of my modes. It felt good," he said. "I'm glad I was able to show the Bucks (Tuesday). I want to take this game and build off it."

Ellis and the Bucks will look to do just that against Cleveland (17-31). The Cavaliers have surrendered 109.6 points per game on 49.8 percent shooting in dropping five straight in the series.

Cleveland has also lost five in a row overall, a skid in which it's been outscored by an average of 13.8 points. The Cavaliers concluded a stretch of three games in four nights with Wednesday's 87-75 loss to Detroit.

"I guess you would say (fatigue) is a factor, but we're not trying to make any excuses for ourselves," said rookie standout Kyrie Irving, who had 22 points, nine rebounds and six assists. "It's been a tough stretch of games for us and this is our fifth (loss) in a row.

"We've been in a position like this before. Everyone is down on us, but we just have to pull it together and continue to compete."

The Cavaliers, who lost a season-worst six in a row Feb. 22-March 5, have dropped eight of nine at Quicken Loans Arena - including the last four by 15.2 points per game.

"We've been through this before and we've been through worse," coach Byron Scott said. "The only thing we have to do is continue to stay together as a team and keep encouraging each other and keep fighting. That's all you can do.

"I don't see this group quitting. We're going to keep playing and we're going to keep fighting. That's the only thing we know."

The Cavaliers could catch a break with Milwaukee's Carlos Delfino (right groin) out and Ersan Ilyasova (back spasms) uncertain to suit up after both were held out Tuesday. Ekpe Udoh and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute would likely start again if those two can't go, but Ilyasova could play after returning to practice Thursday.

Delfino and Ilyasova combined for 39 points during a 115-105 win over Cleveland on March 14. Drew Gooden had 15 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds - the second triple-double of his career, both of which have come in his last three games against the Cavaliers.

Jennings leads Bucks past Cavaliers, 121-84

Posted Mar 31 2012 2:00AM

CLEVELAND (AP) The news was all good for the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night.

The Cleveland Cavaliers, meanwhile, got nothing but bad news.

Brandon Jennings scored 28 points and Milwaukee gained ground in the Eastern Conference playoff race with a 121-84 rout over the Cavaliers.

The Bucks, who took control by scoring the first 16 points of the second quarter, moved within 1 1/2 games of New York for the final playoff spot in the East and beat the Cavaliers for the sixth straight time.

The night for the Cavaliers couldn't have gone much worse. Not only did Cleveland match a season high with its sixth loss, rookie guard Kyrie Irving didn't play in the fourth quarter because of a sprained right shoulder.

Irving, who scored 29 points, said he was injured in the second quarter while falling to the floor after fighting through a screen set by Milwaukee's Ersan Ilyasova. Irving played the entire third quarter, but sat out the final 12 minutes.

"There's a lot of pain in my shoulder right now," he said. "I'm taking a lot of Advil and anti-inflammatories and just trying to get through it."

Irving, the No. 1 pick in the draft, said no X-rays were taken Friday and he planned on joining the team on its flight to New York, where the Cavaliers play the Knicks on Saturday night.

"I'm really not trying to miss any more games especially winding down the season," he said when asked if he would play Saturday. "It all depends on how I feel in the morning."

Irving, who was 11 for 20 from the field, including 6 for 6 on 3-pointers, separated the shoulder during his sophomore year in high school.

"I've had problems with it before (but) it's totally different," he said. "It's not as bad as a separated shoulder. I'll tell you that."

The Cavaliers have lost nine of 10 at home. Their latest performance may have best been summed up by owner Dan Gilbert, who tweeted following the loss, "One of those nights where I can't find the words to match the emotions (at least non-profane words). Cavs fans deserve better. Much better."

A few feet down the hall, the Bucks were in a much better frame of mind.

"It looked like we had fresh legs and played with a lot of energy," coach Scott Skiles said. "A lot of times when you have energy, you put the ball in much easier."

The Bucks shot 57 percent for the game and hit eight straight 3-pointers in the first half after missing their first attempt from behind the arc.

"It was like we couldn't hit the rim at times," Skiles said. "(The ball) went right through."

Ilyasova, who missed Tuesday's game because of back spasms, scored 20 points while Mike Dunleavy added 16 and shot 4 for 5 on 3-pointers. Jennings and Ilyasova didn't play in the fourth quarter.

"We hit a bunch of shots and that can be really deflating," Dunleavy said. "We've all been there before."

Milwaukee, off the previous two days after playing five games in six nights, looked like a rested team.

Cleveland led 10-8 before Milwaukee scored eight straight points. The Bucks, who led 35-26 after one quarter, began the second with their 16-0 run. Dunleavy and Jennings combined to score the Bucks' first 18 points of the quarter. Dunleavy, who hit three 3s, had 11 points during the run.

Milwaukee scored 71 points, its highest total in a half this season, and shot 61.4 in the first two quarters. Jennings finished the half with 21 points while Ilyasova and Dunleavy scored 18 and 14, respectively.

Irving scored 21 points in the first half. Alonzo Gee added 19 for Cleveland while rookie Tristan Thompson had 15 points and 11 rebounds.

"After a loss like this, I would hope the guys are real upset with how we played," Cleveland coach Byron Scott said. "The only way you can do it is come back and play a lot harder. You've got to take it out on somebody. You can't take it out on your teammates. You've got to take it out on another team."

NOTES: Milwaukee F Carlos Delfino (right groin strain) missed his second straight game and didn't make the trip to Cleveland. Skiles doesn't know if Delfino will play Saturday at New York. Luc Mbah a Moute started at small forward. ... Friday began a stretch of three games in fourth nights for the Bucks, who host Memphis on Saturday. ... Cavaliers C Anderson Varejao (right wrist fracture) participated in shooting drills Friday, but there's still no timetable for his return. Scott said Varejao, who hasn't played since Feb. 10, is wearing a brace on his wrist. ... Cleveland signed G Lester Hudson to a 10-day contract. He had been playing with Austin of the NBA's Development League. The Cavaliers are short in the backcourt following an injury to Daniel Gibson, who has a torn tendon in his foot and will likely miss the rest of the season.

Notebook: Bucks 121, Cavs 84

Posted Saturday March 31, 2012 12:10AM

By Brian Dulik, for NBA.com

THE FACTS: Point guard Brandon Jennings scored 28 points and power forward Ersan Ilyasova added 20 as the Milwaukee Bucks buried the Cleveland Cavaliers 121-84 at Quicken Loans Arena. Small forward Mike Dunleavy Jr. chipped in 16 points and point guard Beno Udrih had 10 assists for Milwaukee, which shot 56.8 percent from the field and set a season high in points. Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving scored a game-high 29 points and went 6-for-6 on 3-pointers, but exited with a sprained right shoulder. The rookie was injured when he fell awkwardly to the floor after running into an Ilyasova pick late in the second period.

QUOTABLE: "We just shot the lights out tonight as a team. Ersan got it going at the start, and Dunleavy coming off the bench making those four threes (in the first half) was huge. Everybody seemed to chip in and find ways to score for us."
-- Bucks center Drew Gooden

THE STAT: The 37-point defeat was the Cavaliers' second-largest ever at home, only trailing the 114-75 drubbing they absorbed against Chicago on Jan. 20. Since entering the NBA in 1970-1971, Cleveland has played 1,691 home games, but had never lost by more than 35 points until this season. Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert reacted to the debacle by tweeting, "One of those nights where I can't find the words to match the emotions [at least non-profane words]. Cavs fans deserve better. Much better." Cleveland is 1-9 in its last 10 home games, making it 9-17 on the campaign and 21-46 in two years under coach Byron Scott.

TURNING POINT: Milwaukee scored 16 straight points to start the second quarter -- all by either Jennings or Dunleavy -- to blow the game wide open at 51-26. After Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson made one free throw, the Bucks tacked on four more points to complete a 20-1 run that gave them a 55-27 advantage with 7:27 left in the second quarter. "We should be embarrassed with the way we've been playing at home," Scott said. "Our fans do deserve better. I agree with [Gilbert]." Milwaukee extended its lead the rest of the way, completing the scoring when power forward Tobias Harris made a 3-pointer with 43 seconds left.

QUOTABLE II: "It looked like we had fresh legs and played with a lot of energy. A lot of times when you have energy, you put the ball in much easier. It was like we couldn't hit the rim at times because it just went right through."
-- Bucks coach Scott Skiles

HOT: The Bucks' margin of victory was their largest of the season and extended their winning streak over Cleveland to six games. ... Milwaukee made eight straight 3-pointers in the first half. Dunleavy had four of them, while Ilyasova and Jennings made two apiece. ... Ilyasova, who was a game-time decision because of back spasms, scored 14 points in the first quarter. He finished the contest 9-for-11 shooting with a team-high 10 rebounds. ... Cavaliers small forward Alonzo Gee had 19 points and eight boards. ... Irving set a team rookie record with six 3-pointers and led Cleveland with five assists. ... Thompson posted his sixth double-double with 15 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. The fourth overall pick in the NBA Draft also grabbed a career-best nine offensive boards.

NOT: The Cavaliers matched their longest losing streak of the season at six games and dropped their fifth straight at home. ... Cleveland power forward Luke Walton, shooting guard Manny Harris and point guard Donald Sloan combined to miss all 13 of their field-goal attempts. ... The Cavaliers scored a season-low 10 points in the fourth quarter, making 5-for-20 field goal attempts. ... Cleveland center Semih Erden was the only player on either team to dress, but not play. It was his third straight "Did Not Play -- Coach's Decision." ... Irving committed six turnovers, matching Milwaukee's team total for the game. ... Cavaliers power forward Antawn Jamison scored two points in 30 minutes. ... Power forward Jon Brockman was the only Bucks player to be held scoreless.

QUOTABLE III: "We came out and hit a bunch of shots, and that can be really deflating to a team. We've all been there before. We play them next week in Milwaukee, and I'm sure it will be different."
-- Bucks small forward Mike Dunleavy Jr.

GOOD MOVE: With Milwaukee playing Saturday at home against Memphis, Skiles limited the court time of his key talent. Shooting guard Monta Ellis and Jennings were the lone Bucks to log more than 30 minutes, while everyone on their roster played at least six. "We were able to pull away and keep them at bay, which gave us a chance to get things set up for tomorrow night," Skiles said. Milwaukee's bench outscored its Cleveland counterparts 43-13 and outrebounded them 27-10.

BAD MOVE: Scott did not make a substitution in the third quarter, leaving all five of his starters on the court. That quintet outscored Milwaukee 30-28, providing the lone highlight for the Cavaliers on a night when they were repeatedly booed at home. "I just figured, we're in this mess together and you guys helped create it," Scott said. "So let's see if we can get this lead down if we can, and you can rest the fourth quarter." Cleveland still trailed 99-74 heading into the fourth.

NOTABLE: Irving separated his right shoulder during his sophomore season in high school, but said the pain from his current injury wasn't nearly as bad. The No. 1 overall draft pick traveled with the Cavaliers to New York, where he will be re-evaluated in the morning, but is not expected to play Saturday against the Knicks. "I'll take a lot of Advil and anti-inflammatories, and get some treatment on it, and we'll go from there," said Irving, who did not have X-rays taken before boarding the team plane. ... Scott put Irving's injury in perspective, saying, "I don't know how it can get much worse for us, but yeah, if he goes down, obviously that makes it that much worse." ... Shooting guard Lester Hudson made his Cleveland debut and scored two points, just hours after being signed to a 10-day contract. He had been playing with the NBA D-League's Austin Toros. ... Former Cavaliers power forward Gooden remains popular on the North Coast, receiving multiple "Drew" chants throughout the game.

UP NEXT: For the Bucks, Saturday vs. Memphis, Monday @ Washington, Wednesday vs. Cleveland. For the Cavaliers, Saturday @ New York, Tuesday vs. San Antonio, Wednesday @ Milwaukee.

• Bucks: Brown, Delfino
• Cavaliers: Gibson, Harangody, Varejao

• Bucks: --
• Cavaliers: --

• Lead Changes: 2
• Times Tied: 1

• Arena: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, OH
• Officials: #33 Zach Zarba, #50 Olandis Poole, #56 Mark Ayotte
• Attendance: 16099
• Duration: 1:54