Clippers' defense tested in decisive win over Bucks

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01/26/2025 01:44 AM

Clippers guard Norman Powell shoots as Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) defends during the first half on Saturday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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Clippers guard Norman Powell shoots as Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) defends during the first half on Saturday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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INGLEWOOD — Giannis Antetokounmpo was in town. So were Damian Lillard, Brook Lopez and the rest of the red-hot Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday, who came into Intuit Dome having won eight of their past 10 games.

Antetokounmpo, a two-time league MVP, ranks second in the league in scoring and fifth in rebounding, while Lillard, an eight-time All-Star, is always a threat from outside as is Lopez, who is shooting 37% from 3-point range. The Bucks are also the second-best 3-point shooting team in the NBA at 39%.

So, the Clippers knew their second-rated defense was going to be tested in a big way. And it was.

Yet it was their offense that came up with the bigger plays in the second half to stop Milwaukee, 127-117, as the Clippers (26-19) closed their five-game homestand on a high note. They finished their busy week with a 3-2 mark.

"It was a total team effort," Coach Tyronn Lue said.

While several players contributed to the victory, it was James Harden and Norman Powell who keyed a second-half run that stymied the former NBA champions.

"I thought James and Norm were a huge force tonight," Lue said.

Harden led the Clippers' attack with 40 points, five rebounds and nine assists. At one point, he scored 15 consecutive points down the stretch. It was his third 40-point game this season, with 17 coming in the third quarter.

Powell shot 11 for 23 from the field and finished with 33 points for his eighth 30-point game this season, a career-high. A Powell dunk launched a 14-0 fourth-quarter run that Harden capped with a 3-pointer for a 112-100 lead.

Kawhi Leonard contributed 18 points, three rebounds and four assists in 24 minutes before taking a seat, and Ivica Zubac posted his 27th double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Leonard called the way Harden and Powell closed out the game "special."

"It was great. Like I said, it was very special," Leonard said. "Them taking on the challenge, getting to their spots, they made it look easy."

Only it wasn't.

The Clippers found themselves down by 11 in the first half but never wavered. Lue went small, bringing in Kevin Porter Jr., Amir Coffey and Terance Mann. Their energy changed the game.

"I know it seems kind of crazy going small against Giannis and Lopez, but (I wanted to) try to switch some of the triggers with Dame so they can't get downhill or get pocket 3's," Lue said. "We decided to go small and it was good for us. So just keeping our composure, being down 11 early, fighting back, finding ways to win the game."

With the score tied at 100-all, the Clippers' offense took over. Derrick Jones Jr. got the Clippers started with a layup then Harden, Powell and Coffey did the rest. The three did all the scoring over the next six minutes of the game.

"They (Bucks) started playing one-on-one and it got James going and then from there Norm got into his spots and started to take over, too," Leonard said.

The Clippers got a boost from 13 turnovers by the Bucks that led to 23 points. They also outrebounded the Bucks 46-41 and made all 28 of their free throws in a game that was tied 17 times.

Lue's strategy on Antetokounmpo was to keep him from shooting mid-range shots, where he is averaging 46% this season.

"He's really improved, worked on his game, but I'd rather him take those and let him get to the paint and dunks then getting to the free-throw line and getting guys in foul trouble."

No matter how good the Clippers' defense was, they couldn't stop Antetokounmpo from getting to the line. The 6-foot-11 forward made 12 of 15 free throws, finishing with 36 points and 13 rebounds.

Lillard scored many of his 29 points at the free-throw line (where he shot 16 for 17) and had 10 rebounds and 10 assists for his second triple-double in two days.

The Clippers' defense was fully on display in the first half, highlighted by Powell's block of Lopez under the basket, keeping the Bucks (25-18) from taking the lead midway through the second quarter. Powell is 6-foot-4; Lopez is 7-1.

The Bucks, though, didn't let the Clippers' tough stance stand in their way. They were able to get several easy rolls to the basket early on to build that double-digit lead in the first quarter. Antetokounmpo had 15 of his points in the first half as did Lillard.

"What (Antetokounmpo) does in transition, what he does in the paint. And then of course Dame, his scoring ability, his shooting ability. But then you have a guy (Lopez) that's 7-1 that shoots 3's, three or four feet behind the line. He puts you in some tough predicaments defensively."

Coffey and Porter, along with Mann, came into the game in the second quarter and helped get the Clippers back into the game, eventually taking a five-point lead in the second quarter. But they couldn't overcome the Bucks late in the first half and trailed 59-58 at halftime.

Milwaukee shot 30 for 34 from the free-throw line.

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Clippers' defense tested in decisive win over Bucks

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