By Justin Batiste
The Clippers beat the odds at home
This win over the Milwaukee Bucks was a huge win for the Los Angeles Clippers tonight. Being that the west in so tight, every game is so crucial at this point of the season. This win over the Bucks helped with keeping the Clippers playoff hopes alive. This win now puts the Clippers two wins away from tying the Minnesota Timberwolves for the 8th spot in the west. As for the Bucks, they’ve now slipped to the 8th spot in the east.
Although the Clippers were playing at home, the Bucks were still the favorites to win this game. So, to beat the odds was impressive, but it was the way the Clippers won that made this win all that much more impressive. It was the resilience the Clippers showed down the stretch that propelled them over the Bucks tonight.
To start the game the Clippers came out hot in the first quarter led by guard, Milos Teodosic. Teodosic made a numerous amount a three’s in the first quarter. Which helped the Clippers outscore the Bucks 35-29 leading into the second quater.
Most of the first half the Bucks looked out of it defensively. It wasn’t until late into the second quarter the Bucks had amped it up on defense, and the numbers show it. Both teams scored 27 points apiece in the second quarter, and in the third Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks looked as if they were going to win this game. Giannis was starting to heat up, and the Bucks had rallied back to take the lead.
Guard, Austin Rivers had been quite for most of the night. Well, with approximately seven minutes to go. Rivers and the Clippers made a strong late game push that helped them defeat the Bucks at home, 105-98. The Clippers as a team shot well from three late in the game, but it was Rivers that started the push with a mid-range jump shot. After that it was all Clippers.
The Clippers ended up outscoring the Bucks, 27-16 in the fourth quarter. This was a tough loss for the Bucks because they had the game won, but this was a much-needed win for the Clippers. The Clippers are playing a back-to-back. Tomorrow they will play the Suns in Phoenix at 10 ET.
