Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Clippers in a dramatic 124-117 victory behind the play of Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Paul George and Kawhi Leonard were absent, but the Clippers made a valiant effort. Lillard’s game-winning 3-pointer gave the Bucks the advantage in a strongly disputed game.
Damian Lillard scores 16 in the 4th quarter and Bucks hold off short-handed LA Clippers 124-117.
Los Angeles (AP) — The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the struggling Los Angeles Clippers 124-117 on Sunday to win the first game of their California road trip. Damian Lillard scored 16 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter.
Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 34 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds, while Damian Lillard made three of his seven 3-pointers. The fourth quarter the Bucks’ star pair ultimately took control of the game. According to the NBA, Antetokounmpo and Lillard are just the second team since 1980 to post at least 30 points and 10 assists apiece in the same contest.
“That’s how we operate in real life,” stated Antetokounmpo. “In the last moments, we had several excellent shots. We’ll need to continue doing this going forward because it worked tonight.
Antetokounmpo and Lillard, who the Bucks are depending on to lead them to the title. Scored or assisted 31 straight points for Milwaukee from the beginning of the fourth quarter. Destroying the Clippers with their two-man game.
Regarding his relationship with Antetokounmpo during their rookie season together, Lillard stated, “I think it’s getting much better.” “I believe that many people wanted everything to just click and happen right away at the beginning of the season. However, I believe that it will take some time for us to get used to playing with each other when two guys who have always made the decisions and had their hands on the ball for years and years and years join together.
The Milwaukee Bucks overcame the Clippers, who were missing Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, to win after suffering back-to-back defeats to Golden State and the Lakers. Malik Beasley contributed 17 points to the score.
James Harden, who was playing without his two superstar teammates missed the team’s second home game in less than a day. Finished with 13 points on 5 of 16 shooting and 11 assists. After playing a large part in Los Angeles’ victory over Chicago on Saturday afternoon. Leonard’s strained left groin and George’s hurting left knee were rested by the Clippers.
About Lillard and Antetokounmpo, Clippers coach Tyronn Lue stated, “Those two guys, they’re great players, and we understand that.” Their game was enjoyable. In my opinion, Dame started the game off well and eventually grabbed control of it. It was challenging to stop him once he got moving. He got it going and produced several huge shots, despite our attempts to blitz and try some new tactics.
In the second half, Norman Powell scored twenty of his twenty-six points, helping the Clippers, who were already minus the injured Russell Westbrook. Even without their star player, who averaged more than 57 points per game, the Clippers managed to put up a fight against a superior team until the very end.
In the dying moments of the match, Lillard and Antetokounmpo ultimately grabbed control to prevent the Bucks from going on their first three-game losing skid in a month. Six days after the team defeated the Clippers 113-106 in Milwaukee.
With less than two minutes remaining in the game. Lillard made three straight free throws and a 3-point shot, giving neither team a lead of more than eight points for the remainder of the game.
With seven straight missed shots in the first half and a 1 for 6 3-point shooting performance. Harden wasn’t playing at his best.
