Andrew Bogut scored 23 points on 11-of-14 shooting and grabbed six rebounds as Milwaukee downed Cleveland, 102-88 at Quicken Loans Arena.
Corey Maggette contributed 20 points, while Keyon Dooling scored 12 points and doled out a career-high 11 assists for the Bucks, who have won two straight on the heels of a three-game skid.
Carlos Delfino scored nine points and pulled down five boards in 23 minutes in his first game since November 6. He had missed the previous 32 contests due to a concussion.
“Our goal was to keep his minutes down but if he felt good we would play him and let him go a little bit longer,” Bucks coach Scott Skiles said. “He looked fine and he felt good and we are glad to have him back. He had his four defensive rebounds at halftime and he did the things that he does. Obviously his shot and his rhythm are off a little bit still but it is understandable. I thought he played very well.”
Antawn Jamison and Ramon Sessions netted 22 points apiece for the Cavaliers, who have lost 15 straight games overall and seven in a row at home.
Trailing 77-57, the Cavaliers finished the third quarter on a 13-2 surge to cut the lead to nine entering the fourth quarter.
Milwaukee quickly re-established control, outscoring the hosts 13-4 to extend the lead to 92-74 with 7 1/2 minutes remaining.
A Daniel Gibson triple pulled the Cavs to within 92-80 with 6:05 to go but that is as close as they would get the rest of the way.
“I hate losing with a passion,” Gibson said. “We have lost a number of games, so for me to sit here and say I’m comfortable or I’m OK or it’s going to get better, it’s enough of saying that. Now it’s time to do it. It’s time to do it. You have got to go out there and play the game the right way. No more excuses, you just have to go out there and do it.”
Milwaukee knocked down 11-of-19 shots from the floor to fashion a 27-25 lead after the opening stanza.
After Gibson tied the game at 31 with a short running jumper, the Bucks scored the next eight points and 10 of the next 12 to open up a 41-33 lead with 4:22 left before the intermission.
The Cavs drew to within 41-39 before the visitors closed the final 2:45 of the half on a 12-2 surge to forge a 53-41 advantage at the break.
Maggette hit 6-of-12 from the floor and 8-of-9 at the line…Earl Boykins had nine points and four assists in a reserve role for the Bucks…John Salmons did not play for Milwaukee due to hip soreness…The Bucks lead the all-time series, 104-76, but have won just two of the last 10 meetings…Sessions made 14-of-16 from the line, both season highs, for the Cavs, who finished 32-of-40 from the stripe…Gibson scored 15 and added a season-best eight assists in defeat.