sport news Evan Mobley scores a career-high 38 points as Cavaliers defeats Bucks without ... trends now
There have been flashes of brilliance from Evan Mobley, tantalizing moments that convinced the Cavaliers he'll dominate. On Saturday night, he put it all together.
Mobley scored a career-high 38 points, Darius Garland added 21 and Cleveland bounced back from an embarrassing loss with a 114-102 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, who were again without injured star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Mobley made sure the Cavs shook off their awful performance in a 120-114 loss a night earlier to the Golden State Warriors, who beat Cleveland despite resting Stephen Curry and three other starters.
Cavaliers Evan Mobley shoots against Bucks center Brook Lopez and forward Bobby Portis
The 21-year-old Mobley finished 19 of 27 from the field and had his top scoring performance as a pro without making a free throw or 3-pointer. He added nine rebounds.
'That's exactly what we want to see from (number) 4,' Garland said, referring to Mobley's jersey. 'Him being aggressive. Him just finding his pocket and doing what he does best. I would love to see that every night.'
Mobley is only the fourth player since 1979, when the 3-point line was adopted, to score at least 38 points without making a free throw or 3-pointer. Hakeem Olajuwon, Alex English (twice) and George Gervin are the others.
'He was aggressive,' Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. 'He was assertive. He was attack-minded. He was creating for himself and his teammates felt him rolling. I don think this is what he's capable of.'
Mobley dunks against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half of an NBA basketball game
Mobley scored 12 of Cleveland's first 15 points in the fourth and the Cavs, who were without star Donovan Mitchell due to a groin strain for the third straight game, put together a 12-2 run to separate from the Bucks.
Garland added 10 assists for Cleveland.
Drue Holiday scored 28 and Bobby Portis Jr. added 23 for Milwaukee, which played its fifth straight game without Antetokounmpo. The two-time MVP is nursing a sore left knee.
The Cavs have been urging Mobley to look to score more often, and he didn't back down from the Bucks, who chose to stay tighter on Garland. The 7-foot Mobley powered his way to the basket and dropped several mid-range jumpers in the lane.
Mobley drives to the basket during the first half against the Milwaukee Bucks
'He scored a lot of different ways,' Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. 'He made everything. He did a little of everything. He did some things, really, everywhere. Mobley made the plays.'
The injuries to Antetokounmpo and three-time All-Star forward Khris Middleton, who hasn't played since Dec. 15 due to a sore right knee, have prevented the Bucks from developing continuity.
Still, they've stayed among the East's top teams.
Budenholzer said Antetokounmpo hasn't sustained a setback. The 28-year-old has been able to participate in 5-on-5 workouts the past few days and his availability is literally on a daily basis.
Budenholzer stressed the decision for him to sit is a collaborative effort, but that ultimately it comes down to Antetokounmpo whether he's ready to play.
Mobley #4 and Caris LeVert #3 celebrate after the game against the Milwaukee Bucks
HORNETS 122, HAWKS 118
Terry Rozier hit three throws with 1.1 seconds remaining, and undermanned Charlotte overcame a 19-point, third-quarter deficit to end Atlanta's five-game winning streak.
Clint Capela tipped in the miss of Trae Young's missed runner with 5.4 seconds to go for Atlanta, but Rozier, who scored 16 of his 34 points in the fourth quarter, drew a foul from Jalen Johnson and buried the ensuing free throws to win it.
The Hornets, playing without
