Irving, James lead short-handed Cavs past Bucks

Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James, left, and Milwaukee Bucks’ Malcolm Brogdon battle for the ball in the second half. AP

CLEVELAND — Kyrie Irving didn’t get tired of seeing the Milwaukee Bucks on consecutive days in December.

In fact, he wouldn’t mind playing them a few more times in late April, May or June when it really matters.

“I hope,” he said.

Irving had 31 points and a career-high 13 assists while LeBron James scored 29 as the Cleveland Cavaliers won their second game in 24 hours over the young Bucks, 113-102 on Wednesday (Thursday Manila time) despite being without two starters.

The NBA champions were not at full strength as Kevin Love didn’t dress for the second straight game with a bruised left knee, and J.R. Smith sat out after breaking his right thumb Tuesday at Milwaukee. Smith needs surgery, and the Cavs won’t have a timetable on his return until after the operation.

They were barely missed as Cleveland’s two biggest stars more than made up for the absences and the Cavs won for the eighth time in nine games.

After his big performance, Irving was asked if he sees the Bucks as a contender, a team Cleveland could meet in the playoffs. Milwaukee beat the Cavs 118-101 on Nov. 29.

“I hope, man. It would be great, four games against them,” Irving said. “I’m fired up to go against them every time now, for real. Ever since they kicked our (butts) in Milwaukee it’s been personal and it’s going to continue to be personal.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 28 points and Jabari Parker 27 for the Bucks, who took the Cavs to overtime at home Tuesday but fell behind by 21 in the fourth quarter this time and couldn’t come back.

“They’re the champs,” Milwaukee coach Jason Kidd said. “They showed that again tonight. They never panic. They’ve seen everything. For a young team like ourselves, we’re going through that. Hopefully, we can learn from our mistakes.”

Tristan Thompson added 15 rebounds for Cleveland.

Cavs coach Tyronn Lue wanted to rest Irving and James, who played a respective 47 and 45 minutes in Tuesday’s overtime win at Milwaukee.

“He came to me and asked me how I felt. I said great,” James said. “He gave me a little look and I said, ‘I feel great,’ and uh, that was it.”

Like Irving, James sees the Bucks as a team to watch in the future, and a possible challenger to the Cavs in the East. Maybe not this season, but at some point.

“The next several years they could be really, really good,” James said. “For me, I’m ready for whatever matchup. It doesn’t matter if it’s this year, or if it’s several years, I’m going to be ready for it.”

Irving scored 14 in the third quarter, capping the period with a three-point play to put Cleveland ahead by 15.

James made three 3-pointers in a span of 1:11 in the second to give Cleveland a 51-35 lead, but Lue, perhaps concerned about overworking his superstar, replaced him with Richard Jefferson.

James had an incredulous look as he ran off the floor and seemed to wonder why Lue would pull him while on such a shooting tear.

“He was mad,” Lue said.

“I wished he would’ve changed his mind,” James said. “I had made three straight 3s. I don’t know. It’s cool, though. We won.”