Cavs nip Bucks

Mar 11, 2007, 6:00 GMT

Milwaukee, WI - LeBron James had 32 points, eight rebounds and nine assists, the last one to Anderson Varejao for the game-winning layup with 11 seconds left, as the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Milwaukee Bucks, 94-92.

Donyell Marshall added 19 points off the bench for the Cavaliers, who have won four straight games. Drew Gooden donated 13 points for Cleveland, which has won six straight against Milwaukee.

Michael Redd scored 29 points and Ruben Patterson added 24 on 10-of-13 shooting for the Bucks, who have lost three of their last four games. Andrew Bogut deposited 13 points and 12 boards for Milwaukee, which has lost 12 straight against Central Division opponents.

Out of a timeout, the Cavaliers got the ball to James, who dribbled to the top of the lane and found Varejao, who drove and flipped the ball over his head while being fouled. The acrobatic shot fell through the net putting Cleveland up two with 11 seconds showing on the clock. Varejao missed the free throw and Milwaukee called timeout.

The Bucks got the ball to Redd, who drove to the top of the key and pulled up from 13 feet. The shot was off the mark and Cleveland escaped with the win.

'If you're a fan, it was probably a fun game to watch,' said Cleveland head coach Mike Brown. 'As a coach, it wasn't fun. I have to give my team credit for hanging in there, fighting, and trying to figure out how to win this basketball game.'

Cleveland pulled within two games of Detroit for first place in the Central Division and Eastern Conference with the win.

Milwaukee led 47-46 at the half.

The Bucks went on a 22-10 run in the third to take a 71-62 lead heading into the final quarter.

Trailing 92-88, James made a running layup to pull the Cavs within two with 1:32 remaining.

After a couple turnovers James drove the lane and hit another layup to tie the game at 92-92 with 43 ticks to go. Redd then missed a jumper setting up the exciting finish.

'We don't close games, point blank,' said Milwaukee head coach Terry Stotts. 'We've been in this position too many times. Whatever it is -- bad decisions, poor defense, poor offense -- whatever it is, we're not finishing games.'

Game Notes

James has scored 32 or more points in Cleveland's last six games...The Cavs outrebounded the Bucks 39-34...Milwaukee's last win against the Central Division came in the season opener against the Detroit Pistons on Nov. 1.

© 2007 The Sports Network

Game Notes

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