It hasn’t been the best start to the season for the Milwaukee Bucks, but knocking off the previously unbeaten Warriors and ending their record-setting run could be what turns things around for Jason Kidd’s bunch. The Clippers return home for one game following a 5-1 road trip that included a 109-95 win at Milwaukee last Wednesday.
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LOOK AHEAD
The Bucks just ended the most notable streak in the NBA this season and hit the road where things haven’t gone well for them. Milwaukee stunned Golden State on Saturday, ending the Warriors’ 28-game regular season win streak and the defending champions’ 24-0 start. The Bucks play the second of a back-to-back Wednesday against the Clippers, but they don’t have to travel far. They played the Lakers on Tuesday night in the same building. Milwaukee’s run of three games in four nights to start the trip includes a rematch with the Warriors at Oracle on Friday. The fourth and final game of the six-day trip is at Phoenix on Sunday. The Bucks’ poor start can be traced to their inability to succeed on the road. A playoff team in 2014-15 and likely contender this season, the Bucks hit the road with just two wins away from the Bradley Center and had lost nine straight before tipping off with the Lakers on Tuesday, going 3-6 ATS in that stretch.
INJURIES
Guard Jerryd Bayless did not make the trip with the Bucks as he continues to nurse an ankle injury. While the team has not revealed many details about the injury, it appears to be fairly serious. He’s missed the last five games and assuming he doesn’t join the team on the road trip, the earliest he could return is Dec. 23. Greivis Vasquez is also dealing with an ankle injury and has been ruled out for the trip. O.J. Mayo and Michael Carter-Williams will continue to see most of the minutes at point guard.
KEY MATCHUP
The Clippers are doing just fine lately, thanks in large part to DeAndre Jordan, whose energy spike has helped a defense shave nearly 10 full points off what it was allowing teams to score earlier this season. Jordan has five double-doubles in the last eight games, a stretch in which he’s averaged better than 15 rebounds and 12 points per game. Those numbers are slightly above his season averages in those categories. Jordan leads the league in field goal percentage, is second in rebounding and third in blocks. His energy and skill at every aspect of the game offset his woeful free throw shooting and is something Clippers are working on. The Bucks are an average shooting team and with Jordan stuck close to the hoop defending Greg Monroe, he’s likely to corral a bunch of rebounds. Check the total for Jordan’s rebounds and strongly consider the over.
ODDS AND PREDICTION
After a brutal start that had many wondering what was wrong with them, the Clippers have seemingly put things together and return to Staples Center for one game after a successful 5-1 road trip. LA has been grinding out wins opposed to the free-wheeling style that had them scoring points in bunches last season. The Clips are 8-2 since a loss to Utah on Nov. 25 put them at 7-8. The play of Jordan is a big reason for the turnaround, but the team’s other stars have also played a role. Having their starting backcourt of Chris Paul and J.J. Redick healthy hasn’t hurt. The Clips have four of the best in the league at their positions in the starting lineup and they have a better squad than Milwaukee, who will be playing the second of a back-to-back. Both teams could be peaking ahead to Friday when the Bucks get a rematch with the Warriors and the Clippers visit the Spurs. In the meantime, look for the Clips to have a strong game in their only home contest in 15 days.
Los Angeles 110, Milwaukee 102
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