Bucks 90, Cavaliers 86: Monta Ellis scored 20 of his season-high 33 points in the second half to lift visiting Milwaukee to its fourth consecutive victory.

Brandon Jennings added 16 points and Larry Sanders had 10 points and as many rebounds as the Bucks extended their winning streak against Cleveland to nine games.

Kyrie Irving scored 26 points and backcourt mate C.J. Miles added 17 for the Cavaliers, who tumbled to their seventh loss in eight games.

In a game featuring a series of alternating spurts, Miles scored eight points in an 18-6 run to put Cleveland ahead by three in the third quarter. Ellis countered with nine points in a 14-0 burst to help the Bucks build an 11-point lead en route to taking a 72-67 edge into the fourth quarter.

Miles, who was making his third straight start, buried a pair of 3-points to ignite an 11-2 run that pulled the Cavaliers within 80-78. Ellis responded with six straight points to extend the lead to 86-80 with 2:41 left and Cleveland never got closer than four points.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Cavaliers C Anderson Varejao, the league's leading rebounder, suffered a contusion of his lower left leg late in the first half but returned and finished with eight points and 18 boards. .... Bucks F Luc Richard Mbah a Moute made his second straight start and had nine points, seven rebounds, six assists and four of Milwaukee's 16 steals. ... Cleveland G Dion Waiters (ankle), who sat out his seventh straight game, was cleared to return to the lineup but coach Byron Scott said he wants the rookie to go through a practice session before playing.