The Milwaukee Bucks were able to squeak past the shorthanded Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night. Below are my takeaways from their 118-116 win. 

With less than 100 seconds in regulation, the Bucks led by four points and got the ball back after the Cavs were unsuccessful in challenging the officials’ call that Dennis Schroder stepped out of bounds. However, an empty possession and a turnover by Milwaukee allowed Cleveland to capitalize and tie the game with 36 seconds left.  

The Bucks were able to retake the lead, but the Cavs nearly sent the game to overtime on a Jarrett Allen layup that found the bottom of the net but ultimately did not leave the tip of his finger before time expired. Milwaukee survived, winning both of its games in a back-to-back.

It was not just the luck of Jarrett Allen being a fraction of a second late in getting the ball off his hand that helped the Bucks stave off an additional period of play, but also the clutch shot-making of Kevin Porter Jr. 

After Cleveland tied the game with 36 seconds remaining, Porter buried a 16-foot fadeaway jumper over the outstretched arm of Allen with 20 seconds left. Ultimately, it would end up being the game-winning shot.  

“Individually, you know, I try to just get to my spots,” Porter said after the game. “Everyone knows I like the right elbow. And I was able to get there and, you know, make the shot.” 

Porter’s two-way capabilities were on display on Wednesday as he finished with 20 points, five steals, and a block. Over his last five games, Porter is averaging 22 points and three steals. The Bucks are 4-1 in that stretch. 

Making plays alongside Porter in the backcourt was Ryan Rollins, who continues to be a bright spot for the Bucks in his fourth NBA season and third in Milwaukee.  

Rollins notched 18 points on 61.5% and nine assists in just under 35 minutes of action. Seven of those points came in the fourth quarter in which he made all three of his shot attempts.

“I'm just most proud of how we buckled down at the end of the game,” Rollins said. “Being able to come down with timely boards; timely shots. Just playing the right way and just buckling down and coming up with a win.” 

This season, Rollins is averaging 17.2 points, 5.4 assists, and 1.5 steals per game — a massive leap from last season and all career highs. In February, he is averaging 22.3 points. 

After going 8-2 through February, Milwaukee will try to finish the month with another win as it hosts the New York Knicks on Friday at 7 p.m. CST. Then, the Bucks will begin March with a road game against the Chicago Bulls before enjoying a five-game home stand.