The battered and beaten-up Milwaukee Bucks may have their standouts again on the ground once they go to the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night time.

Two-time reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is slated to return from a one-game absence as a result of his nagging left knee damage. Antetokounmpo was considered one of 4 starters to overlook Saturday’s 102-96 residence loss to the New York Knicks.

Khris Middleton (hip), Jrue Vacation (knee) and Donte DiVincenzo (foot) are also slated to be again within the lineup as Milwaukee goals to halt a two-game slide that follows a season-best eight-game profitable streak.

Key reserves P.J. Tucker (calf) and Bobby Portis (well being and security protocols) have been dominated out.

Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer was impressed that his membership was capable of keep near the Knicks whereas lacking six members of the rotation.

Thanasis Antetokounmpo — older brother of Giannis — led Milwaukee with a career-high 23 factors, and rookie Jordan Nwora added a season-best 21 in his first begin.

“I believe their competitiveness was actually good, their togetherness,” Budenholzer stated afterward. “We labored defensively, discovered methods to get issues performed offensively. A number of positives. In fact, we might prefer to win, however the best way they competed, that is what we need to be about.”

The sport in opposition to the Clippers opens stretch a stretch of six straight street video games and 9 of 10 for Milwaukee.

The Bucks want to defeat the Clippers for the fifth straight time.

Milwaukee posted a 105-100 residence win over Los Angeles on Feb. 28 when Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded 36 factors, 14 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 blocked photographs.

Kawhi Leonard had 25 factors and 9 rebounds for the Clippers, who enter the sport in opposition to the Bucks having gained 5 straight video games by a median of 18.4 factors.

Los Angeles started a stretch of 9 consecutive properties video games with a 122-112 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night time. The Clippers do not play on the street once more till April 13.

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Leonard returned from a one-game absence as a result of a foot damage to attain 28 factors. He additionally posted three steals to boost his profession whole to 1,001.

The Clippers additionally acquired a powerful effort from the second-year professional Terance Mann, who scored a season-best 23 factors. It’s a part of a sample wherein Mann has averaged 15.4 factors and seven.2 rebounds over the previous 5 video games.

The 24-year-old guard will proceed to get stable enjoying time after the commerce of Lou Williams to the Atlanta Hawks. Additionally affording him enjoying time is the knee damage that can trigger level guard Patrick Beverley to overlook his ninth straight sport.

“Everybody has been on the identical web page and asking me to be extra aggressive,” Mann stated after Saturday’s win. “Over time you start to see issues completely different, stuff slows down and also you develop.”

It wasn’t clear whether or not veteran level guard Rajon Rondo (groin) — acquired within the Williams deal — will probably be out there Monday night time, so coach Tyronn Lue was cautious when discussing Mann’s minutes.

“Proper now, I like the place we’re at, and we’re in a superb rhythm,” Lue stated. “We must see and hold enjoying with the rotations once they get again.”

Paul George scored 24 factors in opposition to the 76ers and has topped 20 in 4 of the previous six video games.

–Area Stage Media