NBA scores 2017: Cavaliers hold off scrappy Bucks in Cleveland

The Cavaliers have a four-game lead on the rest of the Eastern Conference.

Feb 28, 2017, 1:00 PM UTC

NBA: Milwaukee Bucks at Cleveland Cavaliers

Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The Bucks fought and scrapped and hung around all night against the Cavaliers but as goes the rest of the Eastern Conference, it was never in question that the Cavaliers were ultimately in charge. Despite the slump the Cavaliers went through in January, they seem to be clicking just fine now. Even with J.R. Smith and Kevin Love sidelined, they continue to lead the Eastern Conference with ease.

The young Bucks stuck with Cavaliers even through the fourth quarter but it was a late surge from Kyrie Irving that put them away for good. Irving hit back-to-back baskets, including a three-pointer that put John Henson on the floor and put the Cavs up, 94-85. He then hit Derrick Williams with another three-pointer that put the game away for good.

It should be noted that Kyrie also put up this floater that floated over the backboard and had the entire Cavs bench laughing. There is a flat earth joke in here somewhere.

Irving led all scorers with 25 points and nine assists, while LeBron James finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. Giannis Antetokounmpo was never able to get going and finished the night with nine points, going 4-of-13 from the field.

The Cavaliers’ roster continues to change as they’ll now add Deron Williams to their bench to back up Irving. LeBron James and Williams played together in 2008 and 2012 in the Olympics and James said after the game on TNT that he was glad to be adding a winner and veteran to the team.

It will be interesting to see how this team continues to grow and come together as it heads into the playoffs. They’ve already added Kyle Korver, who has found his role. Derrick Williams has also been able to fill in and make an impact. They’ll eventually get Smith and Love back, and we’ll finally see this team with its full roster. For a team that has a four-game lead on the East, it looks like they’re only going to get better.

Seth Curry was the better Curry on Monday night

Stephen Curry went 0-for-11 from the three-point line on Monday night, tying a league record for most missed three-pointers in a game. It was also the worst shooting game of his career. His brother Seth, on the other hand, went 5-of-7 from behind the line and finished the night with 29 points. Historically, Feb. 27 has been a good day for Steph Curry. His 54-point game in Madison Square Garden and his 46-point game with the 30-foot game winner in Oklahoma City were both on Feb. 27. Not so much this time around.

No Kyle Lowry, no problem

Okay, the Raptors snuck out of Madison Square Garden with a win on Monday night thanks to a DeMar DeRozan jumper with 1.9 seconds left. So it wasn’t exactly “no problem” but it was a win. Lowry will likely be out until the playoffs due to receiving surgery on his right wrist to fix loose bodies. They’ll need everything they can get from DeRozan moving forward.

Dunk of the night

Jaylen Brown with the dunk and the casual hang.

Block of the night

This was two blocks on one possession for Myles Turner. This is also a reminder that he is still only 20 years old. The Pacers also got a big win on the road against the Rockets, 117-108.