Bucks Outlast Cavaliers in Hard-Fought 118-116 Victory at Fiserv Forum
MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Bucks needed every bit of their fourth-quarter resolve on Wednesday night, holding off the Cleveland Cavaliers 118-116 at Fiserv Forum to pick up a crucial home win. With the game tied heading into the final frame, Milwaukee outscored Cleveland 25-22 in the fourth quarter to seal the deal before an attendance of 14,702. It was a game defined by balance, efficiency, and a pair of standout individual performances on both sides of the box score.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter: A Perfect Deadlock (MIL 33, CLE 33)
Neither team blinked early. Both squads came out with intent, matching each other bucket for bucket through the opening 12 minutes. The Bucks shot efficiently from the floor while Cleveland pushed the pace in transition, and the quarter ended in a 33-33 tie — a sign of just how evenly matched these two teams were on this night.
Second Quarter: Cavaliers Take a Slim Edge (MIL 29, CLE 30)
Cleveland grabbed its first lead of the game in the second quarter, edging Milwaukee 30-29 in the frame to take a 63-62 advantage into halftime. The Cavaliers began to establish their presence in the paint, and Jarrett Allen was a consistent force near the basket. Milwaukee’s offense remained active but couldn’t quite match Cleveland’s interior production over those 12 minutes.
Third Quarter: Another Stalemate (MIL 31, CLE 31)
The third quarter played out much like the first — completely even. Both teams scored 31 points as the game remained a one-possession contest heading into the fourth. Milwaukee’s three-point shooting kept them afloat, while Cleveland continued to get to the free-throw line at a higher rate. With one quarter remaining, the Bucks trailed 94-93.
Fourth Quarter: Bucks Close It Out (MIL 25, CLE 22)
Milwaukee finally found separation when it mattered most. Outscoring Cleveland 25-22 in the fourth quarter, the Bucks managed the clock effectively and made enough plays down the stretch to secure the two-point win. Cleveland, despite getting to the line frequently throughout the game, couldn’t generate enough offense in the final minutes to overcome Milwaukee’s late-game execution.
Key Performers
Kevin Porter Jr. — Milwaukee Bucks
Kevin Porter Jr. was Milwaukee’s most impactful player on the night, finishing as the team’s leading scorer with 20 points to go along with 8 rebounds and a game-high 5 steals. His defensive work was particularly noteworthy, disrupting Cleveland’s half-court sets throughout the evening. Porter Jr. posted the game’s top player rating and was the engine that kept the Bucks competitive from start to finish.
Ryan Rollins — Milwaukee Bucks
Guard Ryan Rollins was Milwaukee’s floor general, dishing out 9 assists to lead the team in that category. His ability to keep the offense flowing and find the right options on the perimeter proved critical, especially as Milwaukee leaned heavily on three-point shooting — connecting on 19-of-45 attempts (42.2%) as a team.
Jericho Sims — Milwaukee Bucks
Center Jericho Sims quietly put together a strong performance on the boards, pulling down a team-high 11 rebounds to anchor Milwaukee’s interior presence. His rebounding helped offset Cleveland’s edge in total boards and kept the Bucks in possession when it counted.
Jarrett Allen — Cleveland Cavaliers
Despite the loss, Jarrett Allen had the most complete individual performance of the night. The Cavaliers center posted a double-double with 27 points and 11 rebounds, finishing as both Cleveland’s scoring and rebounding leader. Allen posted the highest individual player rating in the game and gave Milwaukee’s frontcourt problems all night. His production alone nearly willed the Cavaliers to a road win.
Craig Porter Jr. — Cleveland Cavaliers
Craig Porter Jr. matched Ryan Rollins with 9 assists, helping Cleveland generate 28 team assists on the night. His playmaking kept the Cavaliers’ offense organized, but the team’s 30.0% mark from three-point range (12-of-40) ultimately proved too costly to overcome.
Game Analysis
The story of this game comes down to shooting efficiency. Milwaukee shot a very strong 54.5% from the field on 88 attempts and connected on 42.2% of their three-point opportunities (19-of-45). That volume and accuracy from beyond the arc gave the Bucks a significant edge in points per possession. Cleveland, meanwhile, shot 48.3% from the field but struggled from three (30.0%, 12-of-40), which proved to be the decisive difference.
One area where the Cavaliers held a clear advantage was free-throw opportunities. Cleveland attempted 27 free throws to Milwaukee’s just 5 — a significant disparity that kept the game tight despite the shooting gap. Cleveland converted 20 of those 27 attempts (74.1%), which explains how they remained within two points at the final buzzer despite the three-point shooting deficit.
On the boards, Cleveland held a 44-36 rebounding advantage, yet Milwaukee’s offensive efficiency compensated for that gap. With 28 assists on 48 made field goals, the Bucks moved the ball well and found good looks consistently. Ryan Rollins’s 9 assists reflect a team that shared the ball and trusted the process offensively.
Defensively, Kevin Porter Jr.’s 5 steals were a catalyst for Milwaukee’s winning margin. Those takeaways generated easy transition opportunities and disrupted Cleveland’s rhythm in key moments, particularly during the fourth quarter when the game was on the line.
Standings and Series Context
With the win, the Milwaukee Bucks improve to 26-31 on the season (14-13 at home), continuing to fight for positioning in the Eastern Conference standings. This was a meaningful victory given their record, as every home win carries added weight in the playoff race. The Cleveland Cavaliers fall to 37-23 overall and remain one of the Eastern Conference’s stronger teams despite the road loss — their 17-12 record away from home speaks to their resilience. Cleveland will look to bounce back quickly, while Milwaukee can use this performance as a confidence boost heading into the rest of their schedule.
