RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME FLOW

MILWAUKEE (AP) _ George Karl might want to fast-forward through the tape of this game.

Despite a 91-90 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday night, the Milwaukee Bucks coach was not happy.

``I don't even know if I want to look at the film,'' Karl said. ``Maybe I'll look at the last five minutes.''

That's because Milwaukee overcame an 11-point deficit thanks to a 17-5 run in the last 5:13 of the game.

With 13.6 seconds left, Tim Thomas sank two free throws to put Milwaukee ahead. In the fourth quarter, the Bucks went 16-for-17 from the line.

``All it took was a little concentration,'' said Thomas, who finished with 13 points. ``That was basically it.''

Sam Cassell led Milwaukee with 20 points, including 10-for-10 from the free-throw line. Glenn Robinson added 17 points, 16 in the first half.

``These kinds of games you just have to find a way to win,'' Robinson said. ``Nights like this, you've just got to keep digging and find a way. That's what we did.''

Trailing 90-89, Milwaukee's Ray Allen tied up Cedric Henderson for a jump ball with 17 seconds to play. The Bucks tipped the ball to Thomas, who drove to the basket and was fouled.

After the free throws, Bob Sura, who led Cleveland with 19 points and 12 rebounds, drove to the lane, but missed a one-handed scoop shot. Both teams fought for the ball as time expired.

``I got to the basket, but just missed the shot,'' Sura said. ``I'll take that shot any day. It was actually designed for Brevin (Knight), but he was guarded.''

Two free throws by Cassell tied the score 87-87 with 1:20 to play.

Knight answered with a field goal and was fouled by Cassell. He made the free throw for a 90-87 Cleveland lead with 1:08 left.

Allen's two free throws cut the margin to 90-89 with 24 seconds remaining.

Milwaukee shot just 23.5 percent (4-for-17) from the field in the third period, and Cleveland extended its two-point halftime lead to nine as a result. Andre Miller's 3-pointer at the buzzer gave the Cavaliers a 70-61 lead.

``We had every opportunity,'' Cleveland coach Randy Wittman said. ``It came down to a last-second shot that we didn't convert. It was a tough loss.''

Milwaukee trailed 29-23 after the first quarter, but took a 45-44 lead on Robinson's jumper with 43 seconds left in the half. Cleveland, however, got a 3-pointer at the buzzer from Lamond Murray for a 47-45 halftime lead. ^Notes@: Cleveland finished the first half with 12 turnovers, six more than Milwaukee. ... With eight wins this month, the Bucks are assured of their best December since 1990-91, when they went 10-4. ... Cleveland's Shawn Kemp, who received three stitches in his lip after Wednesday's game with Washington, started on Thursday. He had eight points and fouled out in just 21 minutes. ... Milwaukee's best season of the decade was 1990-91, when the team finished 48-34 under coach Del Harris.