J.R. Smith
Nov 19, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) dribbles against Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe (15) in the second quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Reuters/ David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Cavaliers recently suffered their first back-to-back losses of the season. LeBron James, Kevin Love and J.R. Smith made sure they snap the skid Thursday night when they beat the Milwaukee Bucks, 115-100.

The Cleveland trio was efficient from the field against the Bucks with James leading the way with 27 points on 9-of-13 field goal shooting. Smith added 18 points on 7-of-12 shots and Love had 22 points (7-of-15 FGs) and 15 rebounds for a double-double.

The Cavaliers’ bench also played big outscoring their Bucks counterparts, 39-12 led by Tristan Thompson’s 12 points with 11 rebounds. James Jones and Anderson Varejao added 9 points apiece in limited minutes.

Giannis Antetokounmpo posted a career-high 33 points on missing just three of 15 shots from the field and adding 5 rebounds and 2 steals. Greg Monroe had 17 points and 8 rebounds while Khris Middleton had 15 points.

However, offense wasn’t the problem for the Bucks, which shot 38-of-73 field goals (52.1 percent) as a team. Milwaukee allowed Cleveland to shoot 40-of-71 field goals (56.3 percent) on 29 assists. The Bucks were also badly outrebounded, 43-22 and 13-6 on the offensive boards.

The Cavaliers avenged a double overtime 108-105 loss to these Bucks last Saturday and will face the Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic in their next two games. Milwaukee will visit the Indiana Pacers Saturday.