Bucks Edge Cavaliers 118-116 in Nail-Biting Finish

The Milwaukee Bucks survived a battle on Wednesday night, holding off the Cleveland Cavaliers 118-116 in a game that came down to the wire. The score stayed tight from start to finish, with neither team leading by more than a few buckets.

Cavaliers Fight Without Their Stars

Cleveland played without several key players. Donovan Mitchell sat out with a groin strain. Evan Mobley rested on the second night of a back-to-back. James Harden missed the game with a fractured right thumb. The Cavaliers needed their remaining players to step up big.

Jarrett Allen answered the call like a superhero. The big man dominated inside, scoring 27 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. He made shot after shot, hitting nearly 67 percent from the floor. Allen's long arms reached high for dunks and caught passes near the rim. Every time Cleveland needed a basket, Allen was there.

Dennis Schroder brought energy and speed. The guard zipped around defenders, scoring 26 points on 57 percent shooting. He dished out five assists, finding open teammates with quick passes. Schroder kept the Cavaliers close when Milwaukee tried to pull away.

Jaylon Tyson worked hard with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Sam Merrill added 14 points with his sharp shooting. Keon Ellis chipped in 14 points off the bench.

Bucks Get Balanced Attack

Milwaukee played without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who remained out with a calf injury. But the Bucks found scoring from everywhere.

Kevin Porter Jr. led the way with 20 points, eight rebounds, and five steals. His hands were quick on defense. Ryan Rollins controlled the offense beautifully, scoring 18 points and setting up teammates for nine assists.

Kyle Kuzma scored 17 points. A.J. Green and Myles Turner each added 15 points. Turner's size bothered Cleveland's shots inside.

Down to the Final Minutes

The game was tied after one quarter at 33-33. Cleveland led by one at halftime and by one after three quarters. Milwaukee made the winning plays when it mattered most.