The seventh-seeded Brooklyn Nets will host the eighth-seeded Cavs Tuesday, with the winner claiming the No. 7 spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Do you consider the game the official start to the playoffs? Photo: John Kuntz,
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Milwaukee Bucks, Sunday, April 10, 2022CLEVELAND, Ohio -- During a turnaround season dotted with uncontrollable misfortune, the Cavaliers finally got a needed break in Sunday’s regular-season finale. They capitalized, locking up the Eastern Conference’s No. 8 seed heading into the play-in tournament.
Already comfortable with their playoff seeding going into the game, the reigning champion Bucks rested their best players. Giannis Antetokunmpo, Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis were ruled out before tipoff. Olympian Jrue Holiday exited 8 seconds into the game, only starting to reach a lucrative contract bonus. Pat Connaughton and Wesley Matthews didn’t play either. The Bucks’ sights are set on another title. The game was over before it started.
With Sunday’s resounding triumph, the Cavs will get two bites at the playoff apple. They are in line to host at least one postseason game. Understanding the stakes, and not wanting to take any chances with the bottom-of-the-bench players throwing away a win, Bickerstaff put three of his starters back in -- Darius Garland, Caris LeVert and Lauri Markkanen. That trio helped push the lead back to 20-plus, a much more comfortable margin.
Rookie Evan Mobley finished with 18 points and 10 boards. His 21st double-double is tied for the fourth-most by a rookie in franchise history. Markkanen chipped in with 23 points in 21 minutes. Garland added 11 points and eight assists in 23 minutes.