Milwaukee Bucks: Takeaways from 127-120 loss to LA Clippers

Fruitless and frustrating comeback attempt

The final six minutes saw the Bucks play some of their best defense yet. They harassed the Clippers into multiple turnovers and difficult shots at the end of the shot clock. Defenders chased Clippers closely around screens, denied easy passes, and effectively sent traps at ball-handlers.

During that time period, Milwaukee forced six turnovers including two shot-clock violations. However, strong free-throw shooting and a clutch three by Austin Rivers with Bledsoe right on him and the shot-clock winding down proved to be too much to overcome.

Offensively, Bledsoe, Middleton, Parker, and Thon Maker made big shots down the stretch, multiple of which came through attacking in transition. Middleton again had one of his classic too-late threes, when he made one with 46 seconds left to cut the deficit to six points.

Although Bledsoe effectively attacked the rim and also converted a pull-up mid-range jumper, he missed two free throws in crunch time, shooting just 4-of-8 from the line overall on the night.

Finding the necessary firepower from behind the arc to make the comeback attempt more likely was again a concern, as the Bucks hit just 2-of-6 threes during those six minutes. Even when they reached the point when every single possession needed to play out perfectly in order to win, the Bucks were still going for two rather than three.

Ultimately, frustrations remained as to why the Bucks could not bring that level of play during earlier stretches of the game. Once again, the Bucks failed to get over the hump because they dug themselves too deep a hole.

Next: Win In 6 Podcast #194: Self alley-oops and full-court passes

The Bucks hit the road to take on the Chicago Bulls for the fourth and final time this season on Friday night at 7 PM central time in the United Center.