Damian Lillard had 35 points (21 on 7 3-pointers) and 11 assists, and the Milwaukee Bucks beat the LA Clippers 124-117.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 9-foot hook shot put the Bucks ahead for good with 7:32 left in the fourth quarter.
The Clippers got within 103-102 on Ivica Zubac’s driving layup with 5:29 to play, but Antetokounmpo answered with an 18-foot pull-up jumper, and the Clippers got no closer than 107-105.
During clutch time, the Bucks outscored the Clippers 12-5. Lillard (No. 3 in clutch points, 2023-24) scored 7 of the Bucks’ 12 on 2 for 2 shooting and 2 for 2 at the line. In the fourth quarter, James Harden had 5 of his 11 assists, 1 of them on a basket by Bones Hyland that put the Clippers ahead.
Antetokounmpo had 34 points and 10 assists. Lillard scored 16 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter. The Bucks had 2 30-point scorers. Lillard and Antetokounmpo set each other up for 6 baskets and 14 points.
For the Clippers, Norman Powell scored a season-high 26 points (12 in the third quarter) off the bench, and Zubac added 18 points on 9 for 11 shooting.
The Bucks shot 49.4% from the field and 44.7% from 3 to the Clippers’ 45.2% and 29.8%. The Clippers forced 7 turnovers, about 6 fewer than usual for this many possessions. They outscored the Bucks 47-24 off the bench. The Bucks were outscored 12-2 in 3 minutes with Lopez, Beverley, Lillard, Portis and Connaughton on the floor together.