Refreshed Clippers, Bucks eager to make playoff push

Reuters

20-02-2025

February 20 - After a much-needed All-Star break for both teams, the Los Angeles Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks believe they're well-positioned for the final stretch of the regular season.
Los Angeles holds the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference, while Milwaukee is fifth in the East.
The Bucks, however, will not be at full strength when they resume play in Milwaukee on Thursday against the Clippers. The team learned Thursday morning that forward Bobby Portis Jr. has been suspended 25 games without pay by the NBA for violating the league's anti-drug policy.
The NBA said Portis tested positive for the drug Tramadol, a medication used to treat severe pain among adults.
"I was dealing with an elbow injury and using an NBA-approved medication for pain and inflammation," Portis said. "During that time, I made an honest mistake and took a pain-reducing anti-inflammatory pill that is not approved.
"I feel horrible and recognize that I'm responsible for what I put in my body. From the bottom of my heart, I want to apologize to the Bucks organization, my teammates, coaches, family, and fans. I give everything I have on the court and will terribly miss playing games for the Bucks during this time. I will continue to work hard and be ready for our long playoff run. Thank you for your support. I appreciate it more than you know."
The Bucks also are monitoring the status of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who last played on Feb. 2. After sitting out one game with right knee pain, the superstar forward missed the past five games as well as All-Star weekend with a strained left calf.
Guard Damian Lillard is listed as questionable with a right hamstring strain. He sat out last Wednesday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves before competing in the NBA 3-Point Contest and Sunday's All-Star game.
Milwaukee and Los Angeles are both adjusting after making roster changes earlier this month. Point guard Ben Simmons made his Clippers debut in a 120-116 overtime win over the Utah Jazz last Thursday. The 28-year-old had 12 points, eight rebounds and six assists in 27 minutes off the bench.
"He did everything we asked him to do: Rebound, defend, push the ball in transition, create for others, attack the rim," Clippers center Ivica Zubac said. "When they doubled James (Harden), he was really good flashing in the middle and playmaking from there. It was great, man. It was all that we expected and more.
"I think he played great, and I think he's going to be huge for us."
Kawhi Leonard sat out the win over Utah with right knee injury management, but he is expected to play Thursday. The game begins a stretch of seven road contests that ends March 4 against the Phoenix Suns.
"We have a lot of road games coming up," forward Nicolas Batum said. "I think it can be good, though, as a team, to just stick together, be together, get in the gym, practice, get to know the guys. We've got great, big games coming up. And after the Phoenix game, if we're in great shape, then we'll be good for the rest of the season."
Los Angeles is aiming for a series sweep of Milwaukee after beating the Bucks 127-117 on Jan. 25. Harden scored 40 points to lead the Clippers.
Forward Kyle Kuzma is settling in nicely with the Bucks, who acquired the veteran forward in a multi-player trade with the Washington Wizards on Feb. 5. Kuzma has averaged 16.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in four games with his new team.
Kuzma could play alongside Antetokounmpo for the first time on Thursday and Lillard is excited about the possibilities.
"(Kuzma's) ability to cut at the right time, the pace that he cuts with, the size, the athleticism, it's his game," Lillard said. "I think just seeing what his skill set is being out there for a couple games, I can see how he would be able to be a pressure release for me and Giannis and bring something to the table for us."
Kuzma had 19 points and 13 rebounds in a 103-101 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves last Wednesday. After a slow start, the Bucks are 27-16 since Nov. 12.
"We started out, whatever, 2-8," Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers said. "We're 29-24 and we would love to be better. We've dropped some games this year that we clearly could have won, but those are all behind us.
"Hopefully we have great health in the second half of the year, and I love where we're at."
--Field Level Media