Clippers rally to beat Bucks, improve playoff hopes
Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives as Los Angeles Clippers forward Wesley Johnson defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles on Tuesday, March 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
LOS ANGELES — Tobias Harris scored 19 points, DeAndre Jordan had a double-double and the Los Angeles Clippers rallied after blowing a 16-point lead to beat the Milwaukee Bucks 105-98 on Tuesday night and boost their playoff hopes.
The Clippers hit six 3-pointers in the fourth, when they were down by five and launched a 13-0 run to go back in front 96-88.
They made 3-pointers on four straight possessions — by four different players — for a 105-96 lead.
Jordan had 12 points and 16 rebounds, and Lou Williams added 16 points off the bench.
Los Angeles trails Minnesota by 1 ½ games for the eighth and final Western Conference playoff berth.
Milos Teodosic got their 3-point run going in the first quarter, when he made four of the Clippers’ seven 3-pointers.
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 26 points and Khris Middleton added 22 for the Bucks, who opened a four-game Western Conference swing by having their two-game winning streak snapped.
The Clippers came out strongly to start the second quarter, extending their lead to 16 on a dunk by Williams.
But Middleton and the Bucks chipped away, outscoring the Clippers 26-15 in the third. Antetokounmpo had 10 points to help send Milwaukee into the fourth leading 82-78.
The Bucks ended the third on a 9-0 run, including back-to-back baskets by Tyler Zeller that gave them their first lead since the initial basket of the game.
TIP-IN
Bucks: Backup C Thon Maker sat out with a right groin strain. … Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers attended.
Clippers: They have won five of seven against the Bucks, including a 127-120 win last week. … F Danilo Gallinari (right hand contusion, non-displaced fracture) could return Friday at Portland or Sunday against Indiana. He’s missed 17 games with the latest in a string of injuries this season.
UP NEXT
Bucks: Visit Golden State on Thursday. They lost to the Warriors 108-94 at home on Jan. 12.
Clippers: Visit Phoenix on Wednesday in the second game of a back-to-back, their last one of the season. They are 3-7 on the road in the second game.
