Mon, Mar 29, 2021
By Jim Vassallo (Veri.bet Writer)
The Milwaukee Bucks (29-16, 11-9 away) visit the Los Angeles Clippers (31-16, 16-6 home) on Monday, March 29, at 10 PM ET.
Milwaukee looks to get back on track against the Clippers after having an eight-game win streak snapped. The Bucks have now lost two in a row.
The Bucks are 2.5 games out of first in the Eastern Conference behind the Philadelphia 76ers and the Brooklyn Nets. Milwaukee leads the Central Division by 7.5 games.
The Los Angeles Clippers come into tonight riding a five-game win streak that has pulled them to within one game of first place in the Pacific Division behind the Phoenix Suns.
The Clippers are four games out of first in the Western Conference, which is led by the league-best Utah Jazz (34-11).
The Bucks most recently suffered a 102-96 setback against the New York Knicks.
The Knicks were led by Alec Burks and RJ Barrett with 21 points apiece. The Bucks were without a host of starters.
"I think their competitiveness was really good, their togetherness," Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. "Worked defensively, found ways to get things done offensively. A lot of positives. Of course, we'd like to win, but the way they competed, that's what we want to be about."
The last time the Clippers hit the court they recorded a 122-112 win over the top team in the Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia 76ers. It was the first time the Clippers faced former head coach Doc Rivers in Los Angeles.
The Clippers were led by Kawhi Leonard (28 points) and Terance Mann (23 points).
"We fell behind early but kept our composure. We figured it out and kept playing. Our mindset was right," Los Angeles coach Tyronn Lue said. "Offensively we did a lot of great things. We attacked the paint and made the extra pass."
"Right now I like where we are at and we are in a good rhythm. We will have to see and keep playing with the rotations when they get back."
Leonard had missed the previous game for the Clippers against the San Antonio Spurs due to a sore right foot. It didn’t appear as though he had any lingering impacts against the Sixers.
Injuries are mounting for both teams. The Clippers issued the following injury report ahead of tonight’s game: Serge Ibaka: out (back), Marcus Morris: day-to-day (calf), Patrick Beverley: out (knee), Kawhi Leonard: day-to-day (foot).
The Bucks injury report is as follows: PJ Tucker: out (calf), Rodions Kurucs: out (abdominal), Jrue Holiday: day-to-day (knee), Bobby Portis: out (health and safety protocols), Giannis Antetokounmpo: day-to-day (knee), Khris Middleton: out (hip), Donte DiVincenzo: day-to-day (foot).
The Clippers are -2.5-point favorites against the Bucks tonight. It will all come down to whether or not the big names on the injury list are able to play in this contest. With the Clippers on such a roll, and the Bucks struggling just a bit, put your money on the -2.5 spread with Los Angeles Monday night.
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