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Clippers vs. Bucks Game Preview
The Clippers are coming off a solid win against the Bulls…. just 22 hours ago. They now have to turn around and play a surging Bucks team with almost no rest in yet another NBA scheduling mishap.
Game Information
Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
When: 12PM PT
How to Watch: Clippervision, Bally Sports SoCal
Tickets: For great deals on Clippers tickets, check out Barry’s Tickets!
Projected Starting Lineups
Clippers: James Harden – Terance Mann – Paul George – Kawhi Leonard – Ivica Zubac
Bucks: Damian Lillard – Malik Beasley – Jae Crowder – Giannis Antetokounmpo – Brook Lopez
Injury Report
Clippers: Russell Westbrook out (hand), Kawhi Leonard questionable (groin), Paul George questionable (knee)
Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo probable (knee), Khris Middleton out (ankle), Chris Livingston (G League Assignment).
The Big Picture
What’s worse than a weekend matinee game for the LA Clippers? How about two of them back-to-back. That’s the situation the Clippers find themselves in with a quick turnaround against the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Clippers had listed Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and James Harden as questionable for the Bulls game, but they all played, leaving their status for the Bucks game in question. It wouldn’t be surprising to see one, if not all three sitting out.
While the Clippers are fighting for a top seed in the Western Conference standings, health takes priority over everything. The Clippers can’t make a strong playoff run if they’re not healthy. They have a brutal stretch of games this month in terms of scheduling. For an older team like the Clippers, trying to find guys rest here and there is more important than burning them out chasing seeding.
The Antagonist
The Milwaukee Bucks come to town having turned things around since Doc Rivers was first hired as head coach. They’re also playing for seeding. While the top spot may no longer be attainable, they are battling neck-and-neck with the Cleveland Cavaliers for second.
When the Clippers squared off against the Bucks last week in Milwaukee, they blew a double-digit lead in the second half and lost despite the Bucks not having either Giannis Antetokounmpo or Khris Middleton. Middleton remains out but Antetokounmpo has since returned to the lineup.
The Bucks are coming off a bad loss of their own against the Los Angeles Lakers without LeBron James. They’re looking to erase the sting of that game.
This is going to be a tough game regardless of who suits up for the Clippers or not. If there are absences in the lineup, then maybe the Clippers can pull together and get a win of their own. Other teams have had success against the Clippers this season despite being short-handed. Now it might be the Clippers turn.
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