Giannis devours the Clippers

Although they played back to back Los Angeles (first the Lakers, then the Clippers), the Bucks did not have too much trouble getting rid of, with enough work, a rival (106-119) who had rested the night before but closed a stretch of 16 games in 29 days. The Clippers also rested Kawhi Leonard and have not yet added to their winter acquisitions (Eric Gordon, Mason Plumlee, Bones Hyland). But, to balance, the Bucks booked Khris Middleton, they are still without Bobby Portis and Jae Crowder did not debut. So, some things with others, the best one won, no matter how you look at it.

AND the best was much better beyond a section of the first quarter in which the Clippers signed a 22-6 to put the 27-22 that closed that partial score. Later, the reaction of the Bucks turned a game that ended busted at the start of the fourth quarter, when a still open 76-81 became 85-101. The Clippers seemed very little onesoverwhelmed on the rebound (35-39, 3-9 in offensive sacks) and with a steep 2-20 in second chance points that they didn’t have the energy to turn around. The Clippers have a lot to improve and, in the absence of chemistry, they will try their usual strategy: more signings, more names. Until it fits. In the season, they are 17-9 when Kawhi and Paul George play and 14-19 when one of the two is missing. That doesn’t speak well of what should be one of the deepest teams in the NBA.

The Clippers, overall, are 31-28. They are sixth in the West, but they have the same defeats as the eleventh, the first outside the area play-in. It is convenient for them to spin fine. The Bucks, at full speed after a few weeks of play and very poor results, have accumulated ten victories in a row, closed a triumphant tour of the West and are at 39-17, to a game of the Celtics, their obvious rival in the East … the one they receive on Tuesday in Wisconsin. Big game, due to rivalry and qualifying implications. Heart and calculator. Giannis Antetokounmpo arrives in top form: in just 30 minutes he stunned the Clippers with 35 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. In the last nine games he averages 39 points and is in numbers and feelings to fight for what would be his third MVP. With permission from Nikola Jokic, of course. Also, Brook Lopez found little opposition (22 points, 15 rebounds), Allen and Connaughton put their shivering and Jrue directed (19 and 6 assists). A tremendous team when it picks up the pace: and it has. Careful.

In the Clippers, ghostly Paul George, who missed the staff line and spent 23 shots to produce 19 points. Brandon Boston scored 20, Norm Powell 16 and Marcus Morris 15.