Bucks Beat Clippers for 10th Straight Win

With all the attention paid to the blockbuster trades at the NBA trade deadline, it might be worthwhile to note that the Milwaukee Bucks have quietly amassed a 10 game winning streak. The latest victory came February 10th in Los Angeles, with the Bucks beating the Clippers 119-106. Milwaukee’s record improved to 39-17, one game behind the Boston Celtics (40-16) in the NBA’s Eastern Conference at the conclusion of play on February 10th.

The Bucks were off to a reasonably good start this season albeit a bit streaky. They opened 9-0, then lost five of eight. They also had a 10-11 stretch. Then on January 23rd, the Bucks Big Three of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Jrue Holliday were back together on the court. Middleton had played in only seven games, opening the season recovering from a wrist injury suffered in last season’s playoffs, while Giannis and Holliday had also missed chunks of time. Milwaukee beat Detroit 150-130 that night, and began that 10 game winning streak.

We’d point out that center Brook Lopez should be included in the Bigs, making it a Big Four. Lopez had a double double, scoring 22 points and grabbing 15 rebounds in the win over the Clippers. Lopez is averaging 14.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game; he’s scored as many as 30 in a game. He’s also averaging 2.5 blocked shots per game, second only to Brooklyn’s Nic Claxton (2.6). Of course, Giannis is still the leader of the Big Three, Big Four, and the entire roster. The two time NBA MVP is making a serious run for a third, leading the league with 12.3 rebounds per game, and is third in scoring with 32.4 ppg, just on point behind Dallas’ Luka Doncic and 0.9 behind Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid.

The Bucks did make one trade at the deadline, picking up veteran forward Jae Crowder. The team is at full strength with the exception of forward Bobby Portis, who suffered a sprained MCL in that win over Detroit. But the valuable sixth man and crowd favorite in Milwaukee is rehabbing well and is nearing a return to action.

Milwaukee will host the Boston Celtics on February 14th. Depending on how the Celtics do in their next game February 12th against Memphis, the Valentines Night matchup could be for the lead in the Eastern Conference.