Evan Mobley and James Harden lead the way as Cavaliers beat short-handed Bucks 123-116

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Cleveland Cavaliers' Evan Mobley (4) drives to the basket against Milwaukee Bucks' Bobby Portis during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

Cleveland Cavaliers' Evan Mobley (4) shoots between Milwaukee Bucks' Kyle Kuzma (18) and Kevin Porter Jr. during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash) — Cleveland Cavaliers' Evan Mobley (4) drives to the basket against Milwaukee Bucks' Bobby Portis during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

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7:45 PM on Tuesday, March 17

By STEVE MEGARGEE

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Evan Mobley had 27 points and a season-high 15 rebounds, and James Harden also scored 27 as the Cleveland Cavaliers opened a three-game trip by beating the short-handed Milwaukee Bucks 123-116 on Tuesday night.

Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo sat out with a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise. This was the career-high 32nd game the two-time MVP has missed this season, and the Bucks fell to 11-21 without him.

The Bucks also didn't have Myles Turner because of a right calf strain. Cleveland's Jarrett Allen missed a sixth straight game because of tendinitis in his right knee.

In a game featuring 11 ties and 16 lead changes, Cleveland pulled ahead for good 103-100 on Sam Merrill's 3-pointer with 6:55 remaining, which started an 8-0 run.

Milwaukee cut the lead to 110-106 on an Ousmane Dieng's 3-pointer with 3:39 left, but Cleveland responded with seven straight points. The Cavs stayed in front by at least five the rest of the way.

Milwaukee's Kevin Porter Jr. had 25 points and 10 assists. Dieng, Bobby Portis and Ryan Rollins added 19 points each.

Cleveland's Donovan Mitchell scored 19 points. Merrill added 17 points in his return from a two-game absence due to left hamstring tightness.

Milwaukee’s Taurean Prince played 22 minutes and scored eight points in his first start of the season. Prince, who has played just 10 games this season, returned earlier this month after undergoing surgery in November to repair a herniated disk in his neck.

The Bucks shot 20 of 45 from 3-point range, and their bench outscored Cleveland's 57-24. The Cavs compensated with a commanding edge from the foul line, going 27 of 34 while the Bucks were 12 of 17.

Up next

Cavaliers: At Chicago on Thursday.

Bucks: At Utah on Thursday.

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