NBA: Cavaliers hit 48 in second quarter to blow Bucks away

Two days after seeing their three-game winning streak end in Atlanta, Cleveland produced their most complete offensive night of the season: 52 makes on 100 shots, 20 threes on 46, 56 rebounds. Their record moves to 4 wins and 2 defeats.

Milwaukee, who were hammered by 32 points against Houston on Wednesday, are now 1 win and 5 defeats. The Bucks shot 31% in the first half, then salvaged some pride by winning the final quarter 35-27 once the game was long settled.

Thirteen minutes of parity, then the deluge

The first quarter went basket for basket. Milwaukee finished it ahead 25-24 on a three from Tyler Herro eight seconds from the buzzer, after leading 18-12 midway through the period. Allen already had 10 points, all near the rim.

The second quarter began the same way, 30-31 after two threes from Meleek Thomas. Then Cleveland took over. Donovan Mitchell strung together three free throws and a three, 39-31. Mobley scored nine points in under 80 seconds, a floater, a layup, a dunk and a long-range shot, 49-40 with 6 min 39 left. From 46-40, the Cavaliers closed the half on a 26-6 run: Tyrese Proctor and Peyton Watson from three, Allen on three dunks set up by Watson, Proctor and James Harden, Mitchell and Harden off the dribble. It was 72-46 at the break, with 19 points for Allen and 62% shooting for Cleveland.

Mobley and Harden extend the lead after the restart

Milwaukee never found the run it needed. Kyle Kuzma and Herro hit from deep, but Mobley answered with two back-to-back threes, 86-58 then 89-61, and Harden with two more. Cleveland passed 100 points with 2 min 22 left in the third quarter on an Allen basket, 101-72, and led by 34, 109-75, on a Sam Merrill three four seconds from the end of the period.

The final quarter was left to the reserves. Kel'el Ware and Nate Ament cut the Bucks' deficit to 95-120, Thomas Bryant hit three threes for the Cavaliers, and Proctor wrapped it up with a three with 43 seconds left.

Players of the match

Mobley made 11 of his 16 shots, 3 of 5 from deep, for 27 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists in 25 minutes, without a turnover. Allen was even more efficient: 12 of 16, 25 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists in 24 minutes. Harden finished with 13 points, 3 of 4 from three, 7 assists and 6 rebounds, Mitchell with 15 points on 5 of 7 shooting and a plus-minus of +31. Mario Hezonja grabbed 11 rebounds and dished 4 assists off the bench, Thomas, back after missing a game with a foot problem, scored 13 points with three threes, Bryant 11, Proctor 9 on 3 of 5 from deep.

For Milwaukee, Ware finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds, but on 6 of 16 shooting, with 4 turnovers. Herro shot 5 of 18, 4 of 11 from deep, for 15 points. Kuzma scored 14 points, as did rookies Ament, on 6 of 8, and Brayden Burries. Myles Turner finished on 10 points and 7 rebounds. The Bucks attempted 51 threes and made 17.

Three takeaways

Cleveland share the ball like no one else. 41 assists on 52 baskets means four baskets in five were created by a pass. Watson, Harden and Proctor combined for 18 assists, and Allen got the ball in the paint every time it was needed.

The Mobley-Allen duo remains the foundation. 52 points on 23 of 32 shooting, 16 rebounds. When the two big men hold the paint, Mitchell and Harden can play without forcing: 15 shots between them, 28 points.

Milwaukee no longer have a defensive identity. 136 points conceded after 132 against Houston, 48 given up in the second quarter alone. The Bucks did not protect the rim: 60 points in the paint for Cleveland.

The SNA view

There are two readings of this game, and both are true. The first: Cleveland have the smoothest offence in the East when Harden accepts being a passer and Mobley steps out of the paint to shoot. The second: Milwaukee are a rebuilding team playing rookies for 20 minutes, and a night like this says more about the Bucks' project than about the Cavaliers' power. The real test for Cleveland comes on Monday against Oklahoma City, depleted but dangerous. For Milwaukee, the question is no longer whether the season will be long, but what Ware, Ament and Burries will take from it.

What's next

Cleveland, 4-2, host Oklahoma City on the night of Monday to Tuesday, at 1 am Brazzaville time. Milwaukee, 1-5, travel to Minnesota the same night, looking for a first away win.