Donovan Mitchell collected 37 points and seven assists, and Sam Merrill scored 11 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter as the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the visiting Milwaukee Bucks 118-106 on Monday night.
Evan Mobley added 14 points, six rebounds, six assists and six turnovers for the Cavaliers, who are 2-1 on a six-game homestand. Merrill made 6 of 9 3-point attempts before making a layup to wrap up his second-highest scoring outing of the season.
Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo exited late in the second quarter with a left groin strain, finishing with 14 points, five rebounds, four assists and four turnovers in 13 minutes. He fouled Mobley in the lane before walking straight to the locker room.
There were 17 lead changes and 10 ties before the Cavaliers gained some separation early in the fourth, going up 100-91 on a Merrill 3-pointer. They later pushed their advantage out to 14 in handing the Bucks their second straight loss.
Ryan Rollins paced Milwaukee with 24 points, making 5 of 10 3-pointers, and Myles Turner had 15 points and seven rebounds. Gary Trent Jr. added 12 points and Cole Anthony had four points and eight assists off the bench.
Jarrett Allen chipped in 12 points and Craig Porter Jr. and De’Andre Hunter had 11 apiece in Cleveland’s second consecutive win. It was Milwaukee’s only road contest in a six-game stretch between Nov. 14-24.
The Cavaliers carried a 59-57 advantage into the break thanks to 25 points from Mitchell, who made 10 of 13 field goal attempts in 17 minutes. It was the 11th time the perennial All-Star has had 25 or more points in a half.
Antetokounmpo had 11 points, three rebounds and four assists as the Bucks led 33-26 after the first. Mitchell scored 14 for Cleveland, which fell behind by 14 points before cutting it to seven.
All-Star point guard Darius Garland (left great toe bruise) and swingman Jaylon Tyson (concussion) both missed their fourth straight game for Cleveland. No projected timetable for their return has been established.
