[ad_1]
MILWAUKEE (AP) – Damian Lillard scored 41 points and the Milwaukee Bucks overcame the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 113-106 on Monday night for their sixth straight win.
Antetokounmpo missed his third game of the season as he battled left Achilles tendinitis. The other times he sat out were a November 15 win at Toronto with a right calf strain and a January 17 loss at Cleveland with a right shoulder injury.
Bucks coach Doc Rivers said before the game that the Achilles issue had been “on and off for the last two or three games.”
Milwaukee is so hot right now that they can win even without their two-time MVP.
The Bucks are unbeaten since the All-Star break as they prepare to begin a four-game trip to California that begins at Golden State on Wednesday and includes a rematch with the Clippers on Sunday.
Bobby Portis scored 14 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter and finished with a season-high 16 rebounds. Patrick Beverley added 12 points and started the winning rally.
Photos you should see
James Harden and Paul George each scored 29 points for the Clippers. Kawhi Leonard added 16 points.
After trailing by 13 in the final minute of the third quarter, the Bucks scored 10 consecutive points to get back within striking distance. They finally tied the game at 96 on Beverley’s 3-pointer with 4:33 remaining.
On the Clippers’ ensuing possession, Beverley stole the ball from Harden to set up Lillard’s driving layup with 4:10 remaining, giving the Bucks their first lead since the opening period.
After Brook Lopez blocked Leonard’s driving layup attempt, AJ Green hit a deep 3-pointer to make the score 101–96. Portis scored the last four points of a 12–0 run that gave the Bucks the lead for good.
The Clippers cut the lead to five with 1:31 left, but Portis scored five consecutive points to restore the double-digit margin and the Bucks never looked back.
Clippers: Visit the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.
Bucks: Begin a four-game trip at Golden State on Wednesday.
Copyright 2024 The associated Press, All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
[ad_2]
Source link