Darius Garland, Cavaliers beat Antetokounmpo-less Bucks, match franchise-best 8-0 start

It was Donovan Mitchell the last time around, and now it was Darius Garland. 

 For the second time in the last three days, the Cleveland Cavaliers dealt a heartbreak to the Milwaukee Bucks. 

 Darius Garland erupted for a season-high 39 points before a clutch Jarrett Allen block sealed a 116-114 Cavaliers escape of the Bucks to match their best franchise start at 8-0 on Tuesday, November 5 (PH Time). 

THE CAVS ARE 8-0 after a 116-114 WIN over the Bucks 😤

Darius Garland: 39 PTS & 8 AST pic.twitter.com/7S8OZnTO7z

— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) November 5, 2024

With the game tied at 108, Lillard gave the Bucks, who trailed once by 19 points throughout the game, a 111-108 lead with 1:18 seconds left. 

 But Garland responded with five straight points— including a 25-foot step-back triple with 45 ticks remaining to restore order for the Cavaliers— 113-111. 

GARLAND FOR THE LEAD AGAIN.

HE'S GOT 39.

Cavs now lead by 4 with 12.2 left... Bucks ball on NBA TV: https://t.co/nmLIQZ9zn7 https://t.co/JXspkf05Nm pic.twitter.com/2q8Ltlh8b4

— NBA (@NBA) November 5, 2024

He then found a cutting Jarret Allen who connected on a layup for a 115-111 Cavs cushion before a clutch block on Lillard sealed the deal for Cleveland. 

BIG TIME JAY! 🫡@_bigjayy_ | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/mNS1pkwSwJ

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) November 5, 2024

JARRETT ALLEN SLAMS THE DOOR.

CAVS MOVE TO 8-0. pic.twitter.com/9WJ73IbKaF

— NBA (@NBA) November 5, 2024

Evan Mobley added 17 markers while Allen tallied a double-double of 14 points and15 rebounds on top of six assists. 

 Donovan Mitchell, who hit the game-winning triple in their first encounter in Milwaukee a day ago, had 14. 

[ALSO READ: Cavaliers improve to 7-0 after Mitchell's game-winner in Milwaukee]

On the other hand, Lillard paced the Bucks with 36 points as they stumbled to a sixth straight loss and the worst record in the East at 1-6. 

 Bobby Portis’s 21-point, 18-rebound output, along with AJ Green’s career night of 21 markers built on seven threes were put to naught. 

 Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo missed the game due to a right adductor strain. The former Finals MVP is averaging 31 points per game through Milwaukee's first six contests alongside averaging 12.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists.

 The Bucks wiped out the Cavaliers’ 19-point lead to tie the game at 86 apiece after a deep Brook Lopez triple in the third period.  Pat Connaughton scored on a to hand Milwaukee a 91-89 lead entering the final frame. 

From 19 down... the @Bucks have tied things up on NBA TV!

Watch MIL-CLE: https://t.co/nmLIQZ9zn7 pic.twitter.com/ofs2xG7Olc

— NBA (@NBA) November 5, 2024

AJ Green kept the Bucks rolling at the start the fourth period, drilling a long bomb from the right wing for a 101-94 cushion, their biggest lead at that point.

AJAX BLOCK. AJ TRIPLE.

WHAT A SEQUENCE! pic.twitter.com/noeg998nUW

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) November 5, 2024

The Cavaliers take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday, November 7 for a 9-0 start, while the 1-6 Bucks take on the 0-6 Utah Jazz on Friday, November 8, Philippine time.