Cavaliers 93, Bucks 78

CLEVELAND — Center Anderson Varejao had a game-high 16 points in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 93-78 victory over the hapless Milwaukee Bucks on Friday at Quicken Loans Arena.

Power forward Tristan Thompson recorded his 21st double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Cavaliers (16-27).

Guard Kyrie Irving posted his fifth double-double with 10 points, 10 assists and three rebounds.

Varejao made all four field goals in the third quarter. He finished 8 of 11 from the field. It helped the Cavaliers take a 71-55 advantage after three quarters.

Swingman Khris Middleton had a team-high 13 points for the Bucks (8-34), who are losers of 10 of their last 11. Swingman Giannis Antetokoumnpo added 10 points.

Milwaukee, which has the worst record in the NBA, shot 40.5 percent from the field.

The Cavaliers are now 1-2 on their five-game homestand that concludes Tuesday. They shot 42 percent from the field.

The Cavaliers abused the Bucks on the boards, 52-34.

Guard Dion Waiters scored 13 points for the Cavaliers, 10 in the second quarter. He had eight rebounds and three assists.

Backup center Tyler Zeller added eight points, nine assists and three blocks.

Forward John Henson, guard Brandon Knight and Middleton all had eight points for the Bucks through three quarters.

The Cavaliers outscored the Bucks 22-14 in the second quarter. They opened up a 46-37 advantage at halftime.

Knight and Henson each have six points for the Bucks, who are being out-rebounded 24-17 at halftime.

The Cavaliers used a 17-0 run in the first quarter, but it was the Bucks who responded in the late going and trailed by just 24-23 after the first.

Center Larry Sanders had five points and two rebounds for the Bucks.

Forward Luol Deng had six points in the opening quarter for the Cavaliers. Thompson had four points and five rebounds.

NOTES: Cavaliers G Kyrie Irving is campaigning for an invitation to the 3-point shootout contest during All-Star weekend in New Orleans. “There have only been a few back-to-back champs,” Irving said. “If they ask me to come back, I’ll definitely come back.” … Irving was named a starter for the Eastern Conference team in the NBA All-Star Game and was among 28 players on Team USA’s national team on Thursday. “It’s a great honor to be part of the U.S. Olympic roster and being a starter,” he said. “It’s a dream come true, something I’ve dreamt about as a kid.” … Cavs C Anderson Varejao came into Friday night’s game 15 rebounds shy of 4,000 in his career. … The Bucks have been going big with 6-foot-10 Ekpe Udoh, 6-10 Ersan Ilyasova, 6-11 John Henson and 6-9 Giannis Antetokounmpo in the starting lineup. “It gives us more flexibility,” Bucks coach Larry Drew said. … Bucks G O.J. Mayo (virus) and C Larry Sanders (cold) aren’t completely healthy, but Drew said they’d play. … Drew’s son, Larry II, is playing for Sioux Falls in the D-League. He recently faced Antetokounmpo’s 6-7 brother, Thanasis, who is playing for Delaware. “(Thanasis is) a different player,” Coach Drew said. “He’s really active. He’s athletic.”