The Los Angeles Clippers will check if they’re still as hot as they were before the break, as they put their win streak on the line in this clash against the inconsistent but dangerous Milwaukee Bucks. Will the Clippers keep on rolling? Or, will the Bucks kick off the second half of the season with a victory?
Catch this game live on Friday, February 21, 2025 at 9:00 AM, Manila time
Away: Los Angeles Clippers (31-23, 12-13 Away)
Projected Starting Five:
- James Harden
- Norman Powell
- Kawhi Leonard
- Derrick Jones Jr.
- Ivica Zubac
With the Los Angeles Lakers losing on Thursday to the Charlotte Hornets, the Clippers have a chance to make further ground in the Western Conference standings, where they are sixth — just 1.5 games behind the Purple & Gold franchise.
The Clippers were hot going into the All-Star break, winning three games in a row before the long rest. They will look to keep it going this Friday against a Milwaukee side they have already beaten late last January. In that game, James Harden erupted for 40 points while Norman Powell had 33. Powell is having a phenomenal season, and he’s also coming off a 41-point eruption in a Feb. 14 120-116 overtime win over the Utah Jazz at home. Kawhi Leonard, who had 18 points in the first meeting with the Bucks, is available to play in the rematch after sitting out the Jazz game.
The Clippers, who are allowing just 108.0 points per game this season, are 2-1 against the spread in their last three outings.
Home: Milwaukee Bucks (29-24, 17-9 Home)
Projected Starting Five:
- Damian Lillard (Questionable)
- Andre Jackson Jr.
- Taurean Prince
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (Questionable)
- Brook Lopez
It has been an up-and-down ride of late for the Bucks, who have gone 2-2 straight-up in their last four games. In their most recent outing, the Bucks edged the Minnesota Timberwolves in a 103-101 road victory. While it’s good to have some semblance of momentum for the Bucks going into the matchup versus Los Angeles, it’s worth noting that both Milwaukee superstars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard are deemed questionable to play this Friday.
Antetokounmpo has missed the last six games with a calf issue while Lillard appears to be dealing with a hamstring trouble. For what it’s worth, Lillard played three minutes in the NBA All-Star Game. The two players combined for 65 points in the Clippers game, so it could be a struggle for the Bucks to find where to get that kind of production if both All-Stars end up in street clothes.
The Bucks, fourth in the league with a 56.2 effective field goal percentage, are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games as the home team.
Picks
Spread: Los Angeles Clippers (-1.5)
Over/Under: Over (227.0)
