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The Los Angeles Clippers are fresh off a back-to-back split on the road against the Memphis Grizzlies, and Sunday afternoon, they have an ABC marquee matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks in frigid Wisconsin.
Neither team enters in 1st place in their respective conference, but the game is definitely a big game for both teams with the All-Star break right around the corner.
Game Information
When: Sunday, Feb. 28 at 12:30 p.m. PT
Where: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
How to watch/listen: ABC, AM 570 Radio
Opposing perspective: Brew Hoop
Projected Starting Lineups
Clippers (24-11): Patrick Beverley, Paul George, Serge Ibaka, Kawhi Leonard, Nicolas Batum
Bucks (20-13): Bobby Portis, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez, Khris Middleton, Donte DiVincenzo
Injuries/Absences
Clippers: Patrick Patterson (personal reasons) — OUT
Bucks: Jaylen Adams (protocols) — OUT; Jrue Holiday (protocols) — QUESTIONABLE
The Clippers had a tale of two games in recent days, as they were absolutely woeful Thursday in a blowout loss against the Grizzlies before they snapped out of it the next night and posted a 20-point win.
Kawhi Leonard was back to his superstar best on Friday, posting a 30-point game, and the supporting crew came through to keep Memphis at bay despite a game effort throughout.
Patrick Patterson is the only Clippers player who is out for the game heading in, the veteran continuing to deal with an undisclosed personal matter.
The situation is a bit unclear for the Bucks, who have won four in a row and appear to be on the verge of welcoming back several players. Jrue Holiday remains on the injury report after missing a slew of games due to COVID protocols, but ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Saturday evening that Holiday is cleared to play Sunday and could feature against the Clippers.
ESPN Sources: After missing 10 consecutive games in the league's health and safety protocol, Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday is likely to return to the lineup against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 28, 2021
Meanwhile, DJ Augustin has been out as well, but he also appears to be back in the mix to play for the Bucks, so the home team’s squad could be bolstered significantly if the guards are available.
This may sound fairly simplistic, but this game could very much come down to execution on both offense and defense for both teams. Defending MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo has been on a tear lately, averaging 35.5 points, 13.8 rebounds and six assists during Milwaukee’s four-game winning streak, per NBA.com, and he’s one of the players who can be nearly unstoppable, even against a good team. LA will have to look to hit their shots, defend well and hope they can keep Milwaukee on their heels. This should be a great game in front of a national audience.