Kevin Love scores 25, Cavs make 19 3s and stun Bucks

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The Cleveland Cavaliers are legit, and the defending NBA champions now know it, too.

Kevin Love scored 25 points, Cedi Osman added 23 and the Cavs pulled off their most impressive win in what's become a turnaround season, 115-99 over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night.

"This is not the Cleveland we knew over the past few years," Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo said. "They have a good team and we have to respect them more. They're a playoff team and are fighting for the title themselves."

A year ago, the Cavs won just 22 games and found themselves in the draft lottery for the third straight season. Not only has Cleveland surpassed its win total already this season, but the Cavs (30-19) are tied for the most wins in the Eastern Conference.

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Cleveland Cavaliers' Kevin Love (0) reacts after hitting a 3-point shot in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

"It's who we are," Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff said when asked about the win's significance. "We take on all challenges. We don't run from anybody. We don't back down. We give everybody our best shot."

The Cavs made 19 3-pointers — seven in the second quarter — and won for the eighth time in nine games. They also leap-frogged Milwaukee in the standings, and served notice they've got bigger plans ahead.

"We feel if we play hard and stay true to our system, we can beat anybody," said Love, a five-time All-Star thriving in a reserve role this season. "I just want to bottle up what we have right now and stay hungry."

Darius Garland scored 19 and