The Cavaliers’ stars stepped up in Milwaukee, punishing a short-handed Bucks side with a decisive late surge… Yankee Scores reports.
Evan Mobley and James Harden both scored 27 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers edged out the Milwaukee Bucks 123-116 on Tuesday night. Mobley added a season-high 15 rebounds, while Harden’s scoring kept the Cavs in rhythm during a game that featured 11 ties and 16 lead changes.
Cleveland finally pulled away at 103-100 thanks to Sam Merrill’s three-pointer with 6:55 left, sparking an 8-0 run. Donovan Mitchell chipped in 19 points, and Merrill himself added 17 on his return from a hamstring issue.
Bucks miss Giannis again
Milwaukee were without Giannis Antetokounmpo, sidelined with a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise. It marked his career-high 32nd missed game this season, and the Bucks dropped to 11-21 without him. They also missed Myles Turner due to a calf strain, leaving their frontcourt depleted.
Kevin Porter Jr. led the Bucks with 25 points and 10 assists, while Ousmane Dieng, Bobby Portis, and Ryan Rollins each scored 19. Despite shooting 20 of 45 from deep and seeing their bench outscore Cleveland’s 57-24, Milwaukee couldn’t match the Cavs’ efficiency at the foul line.
Merrill makes instant impact
Returning from a two-game absence, Merrill’s 17 points proved crucial. His clutch shooting gave Cleveland the cushion they needed, and the Cavs never let the lead slip below five in the closing minutes.
Leave it to Money Merrill.@smerrill05 | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/WeVLX1se4P
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) March 18, 2026
What next for both sides
The Cavaliers continue their road trip in Chicago on Thursday, aiming to build on this momentum and strengthen their playoff push. Meanwhile, the Bucks head to Utah the same night, hoping to regroup quickly and find answers without their two-time MVP.
