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Final Score: Cavs beat by Giannis-less Bucks 108-92

The best player on either team didn’t play and the Cavs still were blown out.

NBA: Cleveland Cavaliers at Milwaukee Bucks Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

After one of their best wins of the season, the Cavaliers got back to doing something they have done more often than win this season: get blown out.

Despite Giannis Antetokounmpo’s absence — he missed Monday’s game in Milwaukee due to sore neck — the Cavs were routed by the Bucks 108-92 and trailed by as many as 29 points in the loss. It was a game where the Cavs fell behind early — they trailed by 13 points after the first quarter — and never caught up. Monday’s loss is their sixth of 20 points or more this season.

Where Cleveland was done in was by Milwaukee’s advantage from behind the arc. The Bucks finished 15-36 on three-point attempts; the Cavs finished 10-30 on three-pointers. Cleveland also didn’t shoot well on two-point attempts, as they finished the night shooting 37.5 percent from the field. Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson — the two players largely imitating the Cavs’ offense — finished a combined 9-31 from the field and were a combined 2-5 on three-pointers.

To make matters worse, Tristan Thompson left the game with a left foot injury. It is not yet known how severe the injury is. Thompson finished his night with 12 points and six rebounds. The Cavs were down by 22 points when he checked out of the game and headed back to the locker room.

In his return to the Cavs, and against his former team, Matthew Dellavedova scored 11 points and had four assists in 16 minutes. George Hill, who the Cavs traded in the Dellavedova deal, played 13 minutes off the bench for the Bucks. He scored two points and had two assists.

The Cavs play the Bucks later this week on Friday at home. Before the rematch, Cleveland hosts the Knicks, who are currently 8-20, on Wednesday. Tipoff is at 7 p.m.