Big games from Love and Smith help lead Cavaliers past Bucks; three takeaways

3. What comes next?

The Cavs started out better tonight than they have in a majority of their games this season, and ended the first frame with a 39-28 lead.

“I thought our defensive energy was up,” Lue said.”I thought offensively we did a good job of playing with pace, getting downhill and getting into the paint. It’s a start for us. We just have to continue and keep building off of it.”

They will have a chance to do that as they head out on a four-game road trip that begins with a showdown in Houston on Thursday night. From there, they will go to Dallas and then head back east to play the Knicks and the Hornets.

But is the road trip coming at the perfect time following a win?

“We’re gonna see,” said James. “It will go one of two ways. So, we look forward to the matchup Thursday. Obviously a high-powered offense, an MVP candidate in James Harden, and those guys around him that make up the difference.”

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