LOS ANGELES — The Clippers were missing three familiar faces and that didn’t include Kawhi Leonard who sat out Friday night’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Yet they made the most of the changes after trades left them short-handed. They tried out rookie Brandon Boston Jr. in place of Leonard in the starting lineup, gave significant minutes to Amir Coffey and Robert Covington, and relied on All-Star Paul George for 28 minutes.
But that didn’t alter the outcome. For three quarters, the Clippers stayed close to the red-hot Bucks but couldn’t keep pace in the final quarter, eventually losing, 119-106, at Crypto.com Arena.
The new players – center Mason Plumlee, guard Bones Hyland and guard Eric Gordon joined their Clippers teammates on the bench, watching what lie ahead for them. Plumlee saw how he could help center Ivica Zubac, who had just six points and eight rebounds in 34 minutes.
Both Gordon and Hyland no doubt saw opportunities where their ball-handling skills could help as the Clippers (31-28) turned the ball over 10 times.
The Clippers could have used an extra set of hands in the fourth quarter as Giannis Antetokounmpo (35 points) and the Bucks (39-17) turned a close game into a 13-point victory to extend their winning streak to 10 games.
“I just liked our fight early on,” Coach Tyronn Lue said. “You know, we got down early, I think 14-2. To keep fighting, and then build the lead again, back up to eight in that first half, and then tough play.
“We had a 50-50 ball and then Jrue Holiday picks it up in the corner and makes a 3 and cuts it to five. That’s kind of what got them going, got them rolling. But I’m proud of our young guys. Some things that they did. Brandon, he was really good. He did a good job.”
George did what he could, scoring 19 points on 8-of-23 shooting and grabbing 11 rebounds. On a series of back-and-forth baskets in the third quarter, George buried a 23-footer with 7:05 left, eclipsing 16,000 career points,…
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