The short-handed Clippers fall to the Bucks 124-117

Los Angeles Clippers #24 Norman Powell (G) is going up for a dunk. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1.

LOS ANGELES, CA - The Los Angeles Clippers (41-22), without Paul George (sore left knee), Kawhi Leonard (sore left groin), and Russell Westbrook, came up short and fell to the Milwaukee Bucks (42-23) at the Crypto.com Arena 124-117.

Normall Powell led the Clippers in scoring with 26 points, Ivica Zuback with 18 points, Terance Mann and Amir Coffey with 16 points each, and James Harden with 13 points and 11 assists.

The Bucks kept the Clippers at bay by getting to the free throw line, making 21-27 free throws for 77.8 percent, and the Clippers only 9-10 free throws for 90.0 % percent.

Damian Lillard, with 35 points, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, with 34 points, were unstoppable, especially Lillard, in the fourth quarter, scored 16 points.

"Those two guys, they're great players, and we understand that," Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said of Lillard and Antetokounmpo. "They had a good game. I thought Dame set the tone early and then took over the game late. Once he got going, it was hard to stop him. We tried to blitz, tried to do some different things, but he had it going and made some big shots."

Damian Lillard got the Bucks off to a quick start in the first quarter, knocking down a three-pointer to take a 3-0 lead. The Clippers led 15-10 with a pair of free throws by Terance Mann.

The Bucks trail 15-12 after a jump shot by Giannis Antetokounmpo. James Harden stole the ball and passed it to Amir Coffey, gliding to the basket for a left-handed layup to give the Clippers a 17-15 lead.

Norman Powell would enter the game and knock down back-to-back baskets to give the Clippers a 21-18 lead. Lillard, with a three-pointer pointer, would tie the game 21-21. The Clippers led at the end of the first quarter 33-29.

Los Angeles Clippers #40 Ivica Zubac (C) is shooting a left-handed sky hook shot. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1.

Zubac would make a sky-hook over Antetokounmpo to give the Clippers a 35-29 lead to start the second quarter.

Milwaukee would go up 43-42 with a three-pointer by Danilo Gallnari. Los Angeles trailed 50-47 with a dunk by James Harden.

Mann would make a layup, giving the Clippers a 59-57 lead. The Bucks head coach "Doc River" was giving a technical foul, and Harden made one free throw, giving the Clippers a 60-57 lead. The Clippers would lead at halftime 62-59.

Zubac led the Clippers in scoring with 12 points, followed by Harden with 11 points and Coffey with 10.

Milwaukee Bucks’ #34 Giannis Antetokounmpo (PF) shot attempt is being challenged by the Los Angeles Clippers #40 Ivica Zubac (C). Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1.

Antetokounmpo led the Bucks in scoring with 14 points, and Lillard with 13 points. Each team did a great of not turning the ball over, each with four turnovers.

Milwaukee would lead 79-77 in the third quarter after Lillard scored on a layup. Antetokounmpo would push the Bucks' lead to 90-83 with a step-back jump shot. Brandon Boston Jr. would score the last points in the quarter, for the Clippers to trail 90-85 after his monster dunk.

The Clippers trailed 93-90 in the fourth quarter after a floating jump shot by Powell. PJ Tucker for the Clippers jump shot would tie the game 93-93. The Bucks would lead 103-98 with a three-pointer by Lillard.

Zubac would get a pass from Coffey for a layup that had the Clippers down by one point, 103-102, with 5:29 left in the game. Harden would pull up for a jump shot as the Clippers were still behind 113-107.

Mann would score on a three-pointer as the Clippers trailed by four points, 121-117, and then they would fall 124-117 to Milwaukee.