MILWAUKEE -- What was expected to be battle royale between two heavyweights turned into a laugher on Friday night (Saturday morning RP time) when the Milwaukee Bucks mangled the Los Angeles Clippers, 119-91, at the Fiserv Forum.
Giannis Antetokounmpo orchestrtaed Milwaukee's balanced offense with 17 points while Khris Middleton added 17 points and six rebounds. Eric Bledsoe tallied 10 points and five dimes as the 20-3 Bucks shot 46.8 percent from the field (44-of-94) and 38.9 percent from three-point distance (14-of-36)
"The fans were unbelievable tonight. They made me feel special," said Antotekounmpo who turned 25 years old and celebrated his birthday by making 11 of 20 shots while grabbing 11 rebounds and issuing four assists.
Milwaukee's bench also made sure their star would be happy on the special day, scoring a spectacular points against the vaunted Clippers reserves who managed only 38.
Milwaukee needed little time to handle the visiting Clippers, who fell 30-15 after one quarter. The Clippers rallied in the second quarter and outscored Milwauekee, 28-22, but the Bucks went on a 35-19 third quarter run to put the contest beyond reach.
"We were awful," coach Doc Rivers told reporters after his team connected on just 33 of 94 field goals (35.1 percent) and 8-of-32 from long distance (25 percent).
Kawhi Leonard was held to 17 and Paul George finished with just 13. Ivica Zubac added 14 and 12 rebounds.
Los Angeles dropped to 16-7, fourth place in the crowded Western Conference.
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