Bucks end 8-game losing streak at Staples
LOS ANGELES -- Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 16 points apiece, and the Milwaukee Bucks held on to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 97-96 on Wednesday night at Staples Center.
Blake Griffin missed a jump hook just before the final horn that allowed the Bucks (33-34) to prevail, ending an eight-game losing streak at Staples.
Greg Monroe and Matthew Dellavedova chipped in 12 points each and Malcolm Brogdon and Mirza Teletovic both scored 11.
DeAndre Jordan led the Clippers (40-28) with 22 points and 17 rebounds. Griffin finished with 18 points, while J.J. Redick scored 16. Jamal Crawford added 14 points, including a four-point play late in the third quarter.
Milwaukee took a 94-88 lead after Antetokounmpo made one of two free throws with 1:50 remaining. Redick's 3-pointer cut the gap to three, but Dellavedova countered with a trey to push the margin back to six with 1:16 left.
Jordan's dunk and three-point play with 30.1 seconds left sliced the deficit to 97-96.
The Bucks used a 9-2 run for 55-48 lead after a 3-pointer by Thon Maker less than three minutes into the third quarter. However, the Clippers answered with a 16-6 spurt for a 64-61 edge after two foul shots by Jordan with 2:46 remaining in the third.
Los Angeles led 69-67 heading into the fourth.
The Bucks swept the Clippers in the season series for the first time since 1999-2000. The Bucks defeated the Clippers 112-101 on March 3 at Milwaukee.
NOTES: Clippers coach Doc Rivers holds Bucks rookie G Malcolm Brogdon in high regard. Rivers and the Clippers worked out Brogdon before the NBA Draft last summer and the former Virginia guard left quite the impression. "It's rare that a talented player's personality actually outshines his game. When you walked out of the interview with Brogdon, you're like, 'My gosh, he should actually be running for president.' I actually made that statement. He's more qualified (than President Trump)," Rivers joked. ... Bucks G Michael Beasley (hyperextended left knee) missed his eighth consecutive game. ... The Clippers visit the Denver Nuggets on Thursday. ... Milwaukee plays the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday at Staples Center.