Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks cruise past Cavaliers for 18th straight win

MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Bucks just keep winning, no matter what.

Playing without starting point guard Eric Bledsoe, the Bucks still cruised to a 125-108 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday at Fiserv Forum. The Bucks have won 18 straight games, the second-longest streak in franchise history. The 1970-71 team that won the NBA title ran off 20 straight victories.

Bledsoe was ruled out before the game with a right shin contusion suffered in Friday night’s victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. Second-year guard Donte DiVincenzo started in Bledsoe’s place.

Milwaukee never trailed, with Khris Middleton getting an easy layup on the game’s first possession.

It was clear that Middleton was feeling good early. He made his first three shots in the first four minutes. Giannis Antetokounmpo then got going and finished with nine points in the first quarter.

Middleton really heated up in the second quarter, scoring 13 points on 5-for-6 shooting. He had an assist to Antetokounmpo and also knocked down a 3-pointer during a 10-3 run that give Milwaukee a 50-42 lead. 

Middleton also had a mid-range jumper and another 3-pointer in the final two minutes of the second quarter as the Bucks took a 69-51 lead into the locker room.

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The Bucks shot 28-for-49 (57.1%) in the first half and turned the ball over just three times. Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer went deep into his bench on the second night of the back-to-back, using 10 players by the end of the first quarter.

Milwaukee expanded the lead to 28 in the third quarter. Antetokounmpo only made two brief appearances in the fourth quarter as the reserves finished off the easy victory. Middleton did not play at all after the third quarter.

Antetokounmpo led the way with 29 points and Middleton finished with 24. DiVincenzo added 15 on 6-for-8 shooting.

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