Monday evening, the Los Angeles Clippers head to the Fiserv Forum for a road showdown against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Clippers play Sunday and will be back to back. The Bucks topped the Chicago Bulls two nights ago. Tip-off is at 8:10 p.m. ET. Milwaukee opens as a home favorite.
The Clippers crush the Wizards
Los Angeles is at Minnesota on Sunday night and will play the back-to-back for this game. Two nights before, they beat the Washington Wizards 140-115. James Harden scored 28 points, including a huge second quarter to win for good against the worst team in the league. Kawhi Leonard added 27 points and Paul George scored 22 in his return after missing two games with a knee injury.
The Clippers lost guard Russell Westbrook in the first half after fracturing his left hand. Westbrook, who had six points and an assist in 10 minutes coming off the bench, appeared to suffer an injury while trying to fend off Jordan Poole’s ball with 10 minutes remaining in the second. He will be away indefinitely. “I just feel bad for Russ right now,” Tyronn Lue, Clippers coach said. “You never want to see a player get injured. … I don’t know yet if he needs surgery or anything, but he’s out right now, so I’m just trying to figure it out. Playing their first game since blowing a 19-point fourth-quarter lead to the Lakers on Wednesday, the Clippers exorcised those demons against Washington.
Dollars on a roll
Milwaukee continued its progress after the All-Star break, beating the Chicago Bulls 113-97 two nights ago. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 46 points and 16 rebounds to earn their fifth straight victory. Antetokounmpo passed Sidney Moncrief as the winningest Milwaukee player with his 489th victory counting the playoffs.
The Bucks led by 14 at halftime and went on a 17-0 run after Chicago found itself down eight early in the fourth. They also allowed fewer than 100 points for a fourth straight game. It was the sixth time in the last nine games that the Bucks held an opponent under 100 points; they only did it once in the first 52. “We win games, but for us it’s not the time,” said the coach Doc Rivers, who is 8-7 since replacing the fired Adrian Griffin. “Our whole key is to prepare. That’s the first thing I told them. We still have work to do, we continue to push, we have to improve. It’s nicer to win than to lose, but we’re not where we want to be yet. Damian Lillard scored 16 points and Patrick Beverley added 14. Expect them to keep rolling against a Clippers team in the back-to-back rematch.
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After firing coach Adrian Griffin and replacing him with Doc Rivers, the Bucks found themselves mired in a 3-7 slump heading into the All-Star break. Since then, they have won five straight games and played their best defensive basketball of the season. Giannis and company massacred the Bulls 113-97. They also allowed fewer than 100 points for a fourth straight game. It was the sixth time in the last nine games that the Bucks held an opponent under 100 points; they only did it once in the first 52. They’re making progress under Doc, and the Clippers will be on the back-to-back, so they might opt to sit the guys for this Monday game. Trust the Bucks to continue this momentum and get another victory.
Prediction: Milwaukee Bucks ML
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Milwaukee is fifth in pace heading into this inter-conference meeting with LA. The Bucks were in control throughout the Bulls game and Antetokounmpo looked effortless against Chicago’s defense. His 46-point effort marked his best performance since scoring 48 points against Dallas 27 days ago. The All-Star has recorded a double-double in seven of his last 10 games, and although the Clippers are one of the best clubs in the West, they will offer little resistance. Both clubs are among the top five in the offensive rankings. Take over here with confidence.
Prediction: MORE
