Vegas Summer League: Bucks vs. Clippers Game Thread

My how sweet the taste of victory can be. I’d almost forgotten what it felt like to celebrate a Bucks win, but yesterday’s eked out contest against the Nets featured enough pleasant performances to keep me satisfied for at least the last 12 hours. Now though, we turn our sights towards the final match before tournament play begins, with tonight’s matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Bucks Player to Watch: Rashad Vaughn

It’s not often we get to praise Rashad Vaughn here, his first summer league stint and the firebreather game against Brooklyn last year come to mind, but we’re gonna take advantage of it while we have the chance. ‘Shad went off for 31 points yesterday in besting the Nets, not to mention 8 rebounds and two blocks to go alongside those. His 13-18 shooting performance (3-7 from deep) highlighted his most memorable game in some time. That was a refreshing sight to see from someone who should be dominating much less seasoned competition, and ‘Shad dumped a bucked of Lawry’s right atop their heads. A repeat performance tonight would be quite welcome.

As an aside, Thon Maker reportedly headed back to Milwaukee to train with Giannis so yesterday’s game will likely be his last action of the Summer League.

Clippers Player to Watch: Kendall Marshall

I think we all have a soft spot in our hearts for Kendall Marshall, the stout floor general who staked his claim on the first half of the 2014-15 season before tearing his ACL and getting shipped off in the Brandon Knight trade. His impact certainly wasn’t robust, but he nailed the triple at a respectable rate and was the kind of bench buoy that went right alongside the camaraderie-laden nature of that squad. Of course, I’ll be rooting for him to eventually make a return to the court, and tonight’s a fine opportunity to root for someone on the opposing team without any sense of animosity. Sindarious Thornwell gets a slight nod too for his opening 26-point performance that sparked a tinge of outrage from Bucks fans given they traded his rights on draft night. Wouldn’t you know it, he scored just 4 points in their second game. Ah, the precious vagaries of Summer League.

All the usual broadcast and predicted lineup information is below.