Cleveland Cavaliers (42-27) beat Milwaukee Bucks (28-40) 123-116 on the road on Tuesday, March 17. The Bucks led after three quarters, but the Cavaliers took control in the fourth.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Cavaliers had the better start, winning the first 37-24 to lead by 13 after one. The Bucks moved in front with a 34-20 second quarter, carrying a 1-point lead into halftime.
The Bucks won the third 29-28 to create some separation, taking a 2-point lead into the fourth. The Cavaliers took the fourth 38-29; the Cavaliers completed the comeback for a 123-116 regulation win.
What decided it
The Cavaliers made 31.4 free throws per 100 field-goal attempts, compared with 13.6 for the Bucks. The Cavaliers grabbed 23.8% of their own misses, while the Bucks recovered 16.3%. The points at the line gave them room for error elsewhere.
At roughly 97 possessions per team, the Cavaliers produced 127.2 points per 100 possessions to 119.9 for the Bucks.
Who made the difference
James Harden was the game's biggest individual force for CLE: 27 pts, 5 reb, 6 ast on 7-10 shooting. His Game Score of 26.5 led everyone. His team was +17 with him on the floor.
Kevin Porter Jr. led the Bucks with 25 pts, 3 reb, 10 ast on 8-15 shooting, good for a 25.2 Game Score.
Kevin Porter Jr. (25 pts, 3 reb, 10 ast) and Evan Mobley (27 pts, 15 reb, 2 ast) each recorded a double-double.
What it means
The result fit the pre-game Win Meter, which gave the Cavaliers about a 69% chance.
Across the last 7 meetings in our records, Cleveland Cavaliers lead 6-1.
The Cavaliers are now 42-27, and the Bucks are 28-40. The Cavaliers last five before this game: L-W-L-W-L.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.