INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The Clippers outlast the Milwaukee Bucks 127-117 on Saturday night. Los Angeles had big nights from their star players to pickup the win. The Clippers are now 26-19 after the win and will get a day off before a Monday night matchup against the Suns in Phoenix.
Here are some takeaways from the Clippers win over the Bucks:
Harden goes nuclear in the second half
James Harden had a throwback third quarter to keep the Clippers in the game.
At the half Harden had 12 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds as the Clippers trailed 59-58 to the Bucks.
The Bucks came out firing in the third quarter scoring 34 points.
Los Angeles needed to keep up and Harden looking like he was in Houston with his play.
The former MVP scored 17 points in the period to help the Clippers to a 36-point quarter.
He scored with his patented step-back jumper and floater at the rim.
After three, Harden had 29 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds which helped Los Angeles go into the final period with a 94-93 lead.
Harden wasn’t done as he added 11 more points in the fourth to finish the game with 40 points, 9 assists and 5 rebounds as the Clippers knocked off the Bucks.
The Clips clamp down in the fourth
Los Angeles came into the game as one of the top defenses in the NBA.
The Clippers led 94-93 heading into the final period.
The offensive play carried over from the third quarter but it was the defense that gave them the advantage to pick up the win.
Milwaukee scored only 24 points in the period, the lowest of any quarter in the game.
Los Angeles forced 7 turnovers in the quarter making it tough throughout the period for the Bucks.
Los Angeles protects the ball in the win
The Clippers are a team that usually turn over the basketball.
Tonight, Los Angeles needed every extra possession in this game and protected the ball in this game.
The Clippers had ONLY 7 turnovers in the game. This led to having an 18 shot attempt advantage in the win.
The team came into the game averaging 16.6 turnovers per game.
When the Clippers protect the basketball like they did in this game they become very difficult to defeat.