Milwaukee Bucks vs. Los Angeles Clippers Preview: California Here We Come

The Milwaukee Bucks have strung together two consecutive victories when they have needed them the most. The Bucks took down the San Antonio Spurs, 106-103, on Sunday afternoon and now shift their attention to the Los Angeles Clippers for the second time in a week as they kick off their four game road trip in the City of Angels.

Bucks Update

With Sunday afternoon’s victory, the Bucks now have a half-game lead over the Miami Heat for the seventh seed in the East (and a likely match-up with the Boston Celtics). The matinee featured KEG shots going down with ease as the trio combined to make 56.5 percent of their shots from the floor and contributed 67 of Milwaukee’s 106 total points. The Bucks were able to open the game, and the second half, with big runs and forced the Spurs to play catch-up for most of the game. That was a welcome reversal of fortune since this team has a propensity to play behind early and often. Hopefully that ability to go on big runs early in halves makes the trip out west too.

Players to Watch: John Henson & Thon Maker

Whenever the Bucks face a team with a beefy, bruising big man, it is not necessarily a question of whether Henson and Maker will stop them, but more of how big of an impact that opposing big man will end up having. Last time out against DeAndre Jordan, Henson and Maker were promptly bullied. John and Thon surrendered 25 points and a whopping 22 rebounds to Jordan. When it comes to tonight’s action in the post, anything less than that stat line from Jordan will be welcomed.

Clippers Update

With time running out on Los Angeles’ season, the Clippers are two games back of the Minnesota Timberwolves and the eighth seed. That is not due to a lack of results, however. The Clippers knocked off the Toronto Raptors on Sunday with a frenetic second half comeback. Lou Williams dropped 26 points in the unexpected, and much needed, win for Los Angeles. The Clippers are split their two games since last Wednesday’s victory over Milwaukee and will continue to scratch and claw for a playoff spot.

Player to Watch: Tobias Harris

The former Buck had a nice game last week against Milwaukee, posting a line of 18 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. The thrice traded forward is hoping to finally find some career stability in Los Angeles, where he has averaged nearly 20 points and seven rebounds a game since moving from the Detroit Pistons. Harris will play his fifth game of the season against Milwaukee tonight and he has averaged just over 16 points and four rebounds while connecting on 50 percent of his three-point shots against his former employer.