The Milwaukee Bucks produced a strong attacking display to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 92-85 on Saturday.
The Bucks, who improved to 9-1 in their last 10 games, capitalized on the absence of LeBron James, who was rested by Cavs coach Mike Brown.
“He’s played a lot of minutes for us, and I just felt it would be good for him and for the team to hold him out,” Brown told reporters. “He’s a competitive person and he wants to be out there. This is my decision based on the minutes I think he’s played, and his body and all that other stuff. This is a coach’s decision, so I’m holding him out.”
The Bucks pulled away early in the third quarter, outscoring Cleveland 11-0 in a three-minute burst to take a 58-45 lead. The Cavaliers cut the lead to seven before the end of the quarter, but were unable to get any closer.
“We couldn’t get some stops for a stretch, and then I thought we had some pretty good looks and the looks didn’t go down,” Brown said. “That gave Milwaukee confidence and allowed them to run out a couple of times. The next thing you know, we’re down double digits again. You’ve got to give credit to Milwaukee. They played a heck of a ball game, but I thought our guys did a nice job trying to fight, especially defensively.”
Brandon Jennings led the Bucks with 25 points as all five of their starters scored in double digits. Carlos Delfino had a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds, as did Luc Mbah a Moute, who had 11 rebounds and 10 points.
Antawn Jamison had a game-high 30 points for Cleveland with 11 rebounds, while Delonte West contributed 27 in almost 32 minutes off the bench.
SUNS 113, PACERS 105
Amare Stoudemire scored 30 points for the third consecutive game as the Phoenix Suns beat the Indiana Pacers on Saturday for the 1,900th victory in franchise history in a game marred by two fights and eight technical fouls.
Things got heated in the third period when the Pacers’ Earl Watson appeared to push the Suns’ Channing Frye. Indiana’s Danny Granger then took a swipe at Frye, who swung back. The Pacers’ Roy Hibbert and the Suns’ Jason Richardson joined the altercation and both were hit with technicals, along with Granger. Frye was assessed two technical fouls, an automatic ejection.
Indiana’s Josh McRoberts and Phoenix’s Louis Amundson scuffled in the second period and both received technicals. Indiana coach Jim O’Brien was hit with a technical for arguing with officials.
Saturday’s other results:
• Mavericks 122, Bulls 116
• Nets 113, Knicks 93
• Spurs 102, Grizzlies 92
• Heat 100, Hawks 94
• Bobcats 101, Warriors 90
• Rockets 112, Timberwolves 98
• Jazz 107, Clippers 85
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