Bucks at Clippers
THE STORY: Apparently no lead is big enough for the Milwaukee Bucks, who will try to avoid starting 0-5 on the road when they meet the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on Saturday night. The Bucks led Sacramento by 21 points at halftime Thursday night only to suffer a 103-100 loss. Milwaukee was outrebounded 55-31. Brandon Jennings had 31 points, seven assists and five steals. “This has become a trend for us and we have to find a way to solve it,” Bucks coach Scott Skiles said. “We have been able to build nice leads, and then we go away from what we do and this happens.” The Clippers, meanwhile, seem to be finding their stride as they crushed Houston 117-89 on Wednesday. Blake Griffin had 22 points and nine rebounds. “It’s been great playing with him,” All-Star guard Chris Paul said. “He is a workhorse. I saw that when I played against him, but playing on the same team with him, you really appreciate how hard he works.”
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Bucks), FS Prime Ticket (Clippers)
ABOUT THE BUCKS (2-4): Milwaukee will again be without center Andrew Bogut, who has missed the past two games due to an undisclosed family matter. Bogut left earlier this week, apparently to see his immediate family in Melbourne, Australia. He could be back in time for Milwaukee’s home game Tuesday against San Antonio or perhaps earlier. His agent released a statement saying that the issue is not related to Bogut’s personal health. Bogut is averaging 14.3 points and 10 rebounds.
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (3-2): Los Angeles has yet to outrebound any opponent this season, but that could change Saturday. Reggie Evans, signed as a free agent Dec. 22, had his first full practice Friday after sitting out all season with a sprained right foot. He averaged 11.5 rebounds last season with Toronto. He could be a game-time decision. “I want to see how he reacts tomorrow,” Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro said. “If he feels good, we'll see if we can get him in the lineup.”
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The 0-4 road start is the worst for the Bucks since they started 0-7 in 2004-05.
2. The Clippers have won 13 of their last 20 games against the Bucks, dating to the start of the 2001-02 season.
3. Clippers center DeAndre Jordan is shooting 70 percent (14 of 20) from the field.