NBA: Antetokounmpo, Bucks rip new-look Clippers
Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against Robert Covington #23 of the LA Clippers in the second quarter at Crypto.com Arena on February 06, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images/AFP
Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 28 points, 10 rebounds and five assists and Jrue Holiday added 27 points with 13 assists as the visiting Milwaukee Bucks used a third-quarter burst to earn a 137-113 victory Sunday over the new-look Los Angeles Clippers.
Bobby Portis added 24 points with 11 rebounds as the Bucks opened won their second straight game to open a four-stop Western Conference road trip. An NBA Finals rematch against the Phoenix Suns looms Thursday.
Article continues after this advertisementBucks score 137 points in consecutive games and win big vs. Clippers. pic.twitter.com/jy1LWr8vKB
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) February 7, 2022
Norman Powell scored 28 points in his Clippers debut and Marcus Morris Sr. added 20 as Los Angeles lost for the third time in its last five games. Robert Covington, who also was making his Clippers debut, added 13 points. Powell and Covington were acquired in a trade Friday from the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Clippers started fast, taking a 32-28 lead after one quarter. Both Powell and Covington made their team debut late in the first quarter and each hit the first shot they attempted, both 3-pointers.
Article continues after this advertisementThe newest @LAClippers Norman Powell (26 PTS) & Robert Covington connect to cut in to the lead!
Live on NBA TV pic.twitter.com/KG0ODlvIGf
— NBA (@NBA) February 7, 2022
The Bucks moved in front in the second quarter, outscoring the Clippers 32-19 to take a 60-51 lead at the break. Antetokounmpo scored 17 points in the first half.
A 21-8 run to open the third quarter put Milwaukee in control. The Bucks took their first double-digit lead at 63-53 on a Khris Middleton 3-pointer less than two minutes into the second half. They led by 20 for the first time at 76-56 on a Pat Connaughton 3-pointer two minutes later.
The Clippers used an 11-2 run in the fourth quarter to pull within single digits at 101-92 with 9:12 remaining before Milwaukee answered with a 9-2 run to take a 110-94 lead with 6:50 remaining.
Connaughton had 18 points for the Bucks, while Middleton added 17. Ivica Zubac, Reggie Jackson and Amir Coffey all had 10 points for Los Angeles.
After going 4-4 on a mammoth eight-game road trip, the Clippers split a pair of games at home and now head out on a three-game trip that starts Tuesday at Memphis.
