John Salmons marshals the Milwaukee Bucks to a 108-101 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers
On Saturday night, John Salmons marshalled the Milwaukee Bucks to a 108-101 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Bradley Centre. Salmons scored 32 points with a 14-of-18 shooting from the field.
After the game Salmons told that, “Early on I didn't feel any different from any other night. I don't know how many I made in a row but I know I hit my first three. After the third one I felt like I was in a pretty good groove."
The Bucks made an aggressive start with a 6-0 run. The Cavaliers were pretty sluggish and their poor defence allowed the Bucks to stretch the lead into double-figures late in the first quarter. When the quarter closed, the Bucks were in command as they led the Cavs by 30-18. Thirteen of Salmons 32 points came in the first period while Drew Gooden chipped in with five assists for the Bucks.
The Cavs gathered their attack and scored 26 points in the second quarter, but failed to slash the shortfall. The Bucks offense continued to pound the Cavaliers throughout the period, by the end of which they had a 16 point lead. Ersan Ilyasova added seven points for the Bucks that included two whooshes from the three point range during that stretch.
After the break, the Cavs came out charged and finally succeeded in narrowing the gap late in the third quarter. When the quarter ended the scores were 85-78. Cleveland’s Baron Davis led the rally with 11 points, including two swishes from long range.
The Cavaliers carried the same momentum in the fourth frame and crept closer to 85-83, within the first two minutes of the frame. The Buck really needed some inspiration at that point to fend the Cavs off and Salmons answered their call. Salmons started with a drive down the lane for a layup, putting a full stop to the Cavs’ 11-0 run. He then nailed another one on Keyon Dooling assist to make it 89-83.
After Cavs’ next four points, Salmons responded with a 17-foot jumper and then passed the ball to Michael Redd, who launched a three-pointer from a wide open space that made it 94-87. With just 1:25 minutes remaining, the Cavs got within 99-95. Salmons again came to the rescue and made a two, which pushed the scores to 101-95. Brandon Jennings gave the finishing touches with his two successive points from the paint and wrapped up the game in Milwaukee’s favour.
Besides Salmons, Gooden came in handy with his first ever triple-double, in which he scored 15 points, 13 boards and 13 dimes. Out of Bucks five starters, four made it into the double figures.
Davis led the Cavaliers with 19 points, three rebounds, six assists and one steal. Points guard Ramon Session added 15 points off the bench.
After the Cavaliers loss, their coach Byron Scott said, "I thought the first half, we didn't come ready to play. Didn't look very motivated. The second half I almost issued a challenge to the guys. 'If you don't want to play, let me know. If you do, raise your hand.' The second half was much better. If we had played that way the whole game it might have been a different outcome."
Next up the Cavs will face the Detroit Pistons on Monday, whereas Bucks will meet the Toronto Raptors the same day.
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