By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Milwaukee Bucks survived a slow start and completed an impressive 15-point comeback against the Los Angeles Clippers, 113-106, in the ongoing NBA regular season on March 5, 2024.
With the absence of superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo due to a left Achilles tendinitis, scoring machine guard Damian Lillard filled the void and exploded for 41 points built from an efficient 12/22 shooting from the field.
Lillard became Milwaukee’s point of attack and delivered when the Bucks needed him to shine in the big games.
However, Milwaukee had to devise several counterattacks to slow down the rolling Clippers team who swelled their advantage to as much as 15 points in the third quarter.
At the start of the fourth, the Clippers still held a 13-point lead and were looking to blow the game wide-open when Milwaukee already reached penalty with still five minutes remaining in the final frame.
Lillard then began to smell blood and spearheaded Milwaukee’s impressive fight back, hitting several clutch shots while also giving them their first lead of the second half off a tough layup.
Surprisingly, the Clippers failed to keep up with Milwaukee’s intensity and went flat in the final four minutes of the ball game.
Despite already having the chance to go to the free throw line with every foul called due to the early limit committed by the Bucks, the Clippers opted to shoot more threes and failed to earn more trips to the charity stripe.
Down the last stretch, Los Angeles already lost its three-point shooting rhythm. On the other hand, Bobby Portis Jr. picked up where Lillard left off and helped the Bucks close out the Clippers.
Portis wrapped up the impressive win with 28 big points derived from 12/18 shooting from the field alongside 16 rebounds and two assists.
Meanwhile, Patrick Beverley, one of the newest additions to Milwaukee, had an all-around performance of 12 points, nine rebounds, four steals, and two dimes.
Milwaukee will be looking to secure its seventh straight NBA win on March 7, 2024, as they take on Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors.
