Milwaukee bucks Cavaliers by seven

Associated Press

MILWAUKEE

Drew Gooden had his first career triple-double and John Salmons scored 32 points as the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 108-101 on Saturday.

Gooden had 15 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists for the Bucks, hitting double-digits in all three stat categories in the middle of the third quarter.

Baron Davis scored 19 points and Ramon Sessions added 15 for the Cavaliers in a matchup between two teams that have been eliminated from playoff contention.

Although the game certainly didn’t mean anything in terms of the playoffs, Gooden showed the Milwaukee Bucks what he can do when he’s healthy.

Gooden, who missed a large chunk of the season because of plantar fasciitis in his left foot, got the start at center after the Bucks lost Andrew Bogut, who will have surgery on his sore right elbow on Tuesday. Another of Milwaukee’s options at center, Jon Brockman, also is out injured.

Gooden completed the triple-double with 5:06 left in the third quarter, corralling a miss for his 10th rebound. Gooden earlier got his 10th assist on a driving layup by Salmons with 6:48 left in the third, then hit the 10-point mark with a 19-foot jumper on the Bucks’ next possession.