The Milwaukee Bucks will have quite the test on their hands when they host the L.A. Clippers for a Sunday matinee at Fiserv Forum.
Searching for their fifth straight victory, the Bucks have certainly rallied after having climbed out of their five-game losing streak last week. And they’re set to get a big boost as Bucks guard Jrue Holiday is reportedly returning from his 10-game absence this afternoon after being in the league’s health and safety protocols for the majority of February.
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The Clippers, meanwhile, have been one of the top teams in the league all season long and only trail the Utah Jazz in the West as L.A. holds a 24-11 record following their 119-99 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies Friday night.
While the Clippers have hit a choppy rhythm as of late, their fearsome duo of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard has only been bolstered by the offseason additions of Nicolas Batum and Serge Ibaka.
So without further ado, let’s dive into the three biggest keys that will ensure a Milwaukee Bucks victory over the L.A. Clippers Sunday afternoon.
First key to victory versus Clippers — Milwaukee Bucks deftly handle Paul George and Kawhi Leonard
With so much starpower coming to Milwaukee, it’s no secret what will be key to the Bucks coming out on top of the Clippers Sunday afternoon.
Both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George power the Clippers’ offensive attack and pose similar problems for opposing defenses on a nightly basis. The All-Star tandem work incredibly well off one another and must be accounted for whether they’re on or off the ball, given their ability to shots all over the floor and in a variety of ways.
For the Bucks, trying to cover the Clippers’ wing tandem is quite the challenge, but it’s certainly made better by Holiday returning to the fold after missing the last 10 games for the Bucks. As we have seen throughout his brief time in Milwaukee, Holiday has taken on a number of premier defensive assignments in the Bucks’ high-profile games to date this year, no matter the difference in position, etc.
With their best perimeter defender in the mix, even without knowing if he will be under any minutes restrictions, Holiday certainly makes life easier for the Bucks’ stars and supporting cast alike on that side of the floor.
No matter the case, though, Sunday’s clash will be defined by how the Bucks go about covering George and Leonard, which is certainly the tall task even at full strength.