AP News, November 21st, 2007
Michael Redd scored a season-high 34 points, Mo Williams added 20 and the Milwaukee Bucks ended a seven-game losing streak against Cleveland with their first road win this season, 111-107 over the Cavaliers on Tuesday night.
The Bucks hadn't beaten the Cavs since Dec. 10, 2005. They also snapped an eight-game losing streak in Cleveland, where they had been winless since Jan. 6, 2003 — the season before LeBron James arrived.
James finished with 34 points, seven assists and seven rebounds in 44 minutes. He played the entire second half, and Cleveland's superstar nearly rallied the Cavs, who trailed 104-95 with 2:19 left after a basket by Williams.
James then converted a three-point play, and isolated defensively on Redd, he stripped Milwaukee's guard and raced down for a layup to bring Cleveland within four. A free throw by Daniel Gibson pulled the Cavs within three, but Redd, who scored 18 points in the third, dropped two free throws to put Milwaukee up 109-104.
Gibson, who scored a career-high 26, hit a late 3-pointer with 1.6 seconds left but it was way too late for Cleveland, which gave up easy baskets. Zydrunas Ilgauskas added 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Cavs, who led by 14 in the first half.
Charlie Villanueva had 17 points and Royal Ivey 15 for the Bucks, who came in 4-0 at home and 0-4 on the road.
The last time Milwaukee beat the Cavs they were coached by George Karl and featured a starting lineup of Sam Cassell, Ray Allen, Joel Przybilla, Anthony Mason and Tim Thomas.
Redd was a reserve on that squad, but he's a star now, and he showed why during a dazzling third quarter.
After scoring 12 points in the opening half, Redd, who was courted in free agency by Cleveland a few years back, hit a quick 3-pointer early in the third and later scored 13 straight points as Milwaukee opened an 84-80 lead going into the fourth.
In the third, Redd went 5-of-6 from the floor and made three 3-pointers.
The Bucks also got several easy baskets inside as they exploited Cleveland's thin frontline, which is missing Anderson Varejao (contract holdout), Donyell Marshall (sprained wrist) and Cedric Simmons (sprained ankle).
Notes:@ Williams didn't have a turnover in 41 minutes. ... It's only November, but at 29.2 points per game, James leads the NBA in scoring. He was asked if that might hold up until the end of the season. "No," he said. "A guy out in L.A. is not going to let anybody lead the league in scoring but him." Corey Maggette, right? Of course, James was referring to Kobe Bryant. ... Bucks coach Larry Krystkowiak has been impressed with Chinese rookie Yi Jianlian's adjustment to the NBA and a new culture. "He's fit in. Even though he's only 20, he's very mature. A lot of young kids come in the league and you can tell by looking at them they're kind of awed, but that hasn't been the case with him." ... Cavs G Eric Snow was active for the first time this season but didn't play. He underwent knee surgery in October.
