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5 takeaways from the Bucks’ heartbreaking loss to the Cavaliers
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5 takeaways from the Bucks’ heartbreaking loss to the Cavaliers

The Milwaukee Bucks suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday, losing 114-113.

This is the Bucks’ fifth straight loss, leaving them with a disappointing 1-5 record in six games. Despite a strong performance, the Bucks were unable to close out the game, as Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell sank a jumper with just three-tenths of a second remaining, sealing the victory. Here’s a look at the good, the bad and the ugly of Milwaukee’s hard-fought effort.

First, there’s no denying the dominance of Milwaukee’s superstar duo, Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo. The two combined for an impressive 75 points, each shooting about 55 percent from the field. It was arguably their best collective performance of the season, accounting for 66 percent of the team’s total points. Despite their efforts, the Bucks were unable to achieve victory, highlighting the need for constant support from the rest of the team.

This brings us to the second takeaway: outside of Lillard and Antetokounmpo, the Bucks have struggled to find extra scoring. The remaining players only managed 38 points, with Taurean Prince contributing 16 points and Bobby Portis adding 10 in his 20 minutes. Portis, in particular, has struggled to make an impact offensively, and his defensive limitations have only added to the team’s recent struggles.

The third takeaway highlights Gary Trent Jr.’s continued offensive struggles. Trent, who was expected to provide a scoring boost, made only one of his 10 attempts from the field, recording three points, three turnovers and three personal fouls. His quiet offensive production contributed to the Bucks’ inability to advance.

The fourth takeaway is that Milwaukee’s three-point shooting improved significantly in this game, which is the fourth takeaway. The team shot a remarkable 46 percent from beyond the arc after hitting just 17 of 73 attempts in their previous losses to Boston and Memphis. Their strong start from deep helped them build an early 16-point lead, although it ultimately wasn’t enough to hold off the Cavaliers.

Finally, head coach Doc Rivers made a notable change to the rotation that showed promise. Rivers gave rookie Andre Jackson Jr. big minutes against Pat Connaughton, whose defensive mistakes had hurt the Bucks in previous games. Jackson was impressed with his hustle, playmaking and defensive versatility as he withstood tough matchups. If Rivers continues to give Jackson minutes, it could help alleviate some of Milwaukee’s defensive challenges.

The Bucks have talent, but with the supporting cast continuing to struggle, they’ll need more time to develop a consistent rhythm.

More money: Former NBA Star Blames Bucks’ Terrible Start Directly on Doc Rivers