© Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Milwaukee Bucks rally from a 15-point deficit to stun the Los Angeles Clippers
Even with superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo on the sidelines due to left Achilles tendinitis, the Milwaukee Bucks overcame a 15-point third-quarter deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Clippers 113-106. The big win propped the Bucks’ record to 41-21 this season.
Superstar guard Damian Lillard picked up the scoring cudgels and scored 41 points on 12-of-22 shooting, including a pristine 13-of-13 night from the free-throw line. Bobby Portis came alive in the fourth quarter where he scored half of his 28 points. The reliable reserve also grabbed 16 rebounds.
Pat Beverley, starting in place of Giannis, scored 12 points, nine rebounds, two assists, four steals, and a block.
Undefeated since the All-Star break
The Bucks look like a rejuvenated team, as they haven’t lost since the All-Star break. However, the Bucks’ winning streak was threatened as the Clippers led 74-59 with four minutes to go in the third quarter. However, Milwaukee kept their wits about them and tied the game at 96-all after back-to-back three-pointers by Lillard and Beverley with 4:33 to go in the contest.
Beverley then picked off a bad pass by Paul George and fed a streaking Dame for the go-ahead layup. A block by Brook Lopez on Kawhi Leonard’s shot led a long, straightaway triple by AJ Green to raise the Bucks’ lead to 101-96.
Upcoming rematch
The Clippers pulled to within five 105-100 after Leonard split his free throws with 1:31 to go. However, Portis made a baseline jumper and a triple to put the game away in the Bucks’ favor.
The Clippers won’t have to wait long to get a shot at revenge against the Bucks as the two teams face off this Sunday in Los Angeles. James Harden and Paul George each scored 29 points for the Clippers, while Kawhi Leonard added 16 points.
