Clippers drop first game out of All-Star break in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE -- The second part of the season can go one of two ways: you hit the ground running and go on a run or you are rusty and need to build momentum back. It seemed like the Clippers were going back-and-forth on both sides of that on Thursday night. 

The Bucks beat the Clippers 116-110 to end the season series at 1-1.

Bobby Portis was suspended for 25 games before the game due to a mix-up of a pain medication and Norman Powell was out due to left knee soreness. 

While Powell did participate in the 3 Point Contest over the All-Star weekend, he did not look like the same Powell that has been one of the most efficient offensive players in the NBA. 

So, it was next man up for the Clippers. 3 players had 20 point games and 4 were in double figures in scoring. Usually, that equates to Clipper wins, but the Bucks played with a different energy at home. 

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez had 20 point games and even without a good game from Damian Lillard, they came back from a double digit deficit in the second half to win. 

It felt like a rollercoaster of a game, with the Bucks jumping out to early leads, and then the Clippers climbing back to make it single digits before the half. 

Then, the second half was a tale of two very different quarters. The 3rd quarter was dominated by the Clippers 39-23, with the second unit providing a huge spark. 

James Harden had 24 points and 8 assists and Kawhi Leonard had his second straight game of 20 points or more. Bogdan Bogdanovic had his best outing as a Clipper as well, with 15 points and 5 assists off the bench. Bogdanovic seemed to have used the All-Star break to work on his game a lot and acclimate to his new team. 

But, the 4th quarter belonged to the Bucks, as they outscored the Clippers 36-21 and came back to pull away late. 

Losing games when you are ahead late are always tough and disappointing, especially with such a tough stretch coming up, but I do think there are encouraging signs in this first game coming out of the break. 

Kawhi looks like he is getting his legs under him, creating plenty of lift on his jumpers, Harden is still putting up great numbers, and the new additions are providing a boost to the second unit. 

Ben Simmons is going to earn crucial minutes with his ability to defend one through five and push the ball up the court like a point guard. Bogdanovic’s perimeter offense is going to be needed in big games down the stretch as well.

This team has plenty of games left and time away from home to sort things out, and the potential is still there to make some noise with the position they have put themselves in amongst the West. 

Now, they will play the Pacers on Saturday afternoon. Tipoff in Indianapolis is set for 2:00 PM PT.