Bucks downed by Clippers, 117-101

LOS ANGELES (WITI) -- The Milwaukee Bucks were downed by the Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center, 117-101 on Wednesday, March 6th.

The Bucks trailed by as many as 15 points in the opening half but stiffened on defense during the third quarter and got as close as 85-82 on a free throw by Samuel Dalembert with 54 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

Chris Paul gave the Clippers some breathing room when he scored on a drive and then hit two free throws in the final second of the third. Crawford opened the fourth with another driving layup to push the lead to 91-82.

The Bucks would cut the deficit back to five once more with 9:49 left in the game but a 10-0 burst by L.A. put the hosts up by 15 and Milwaukee was out of comebacks.

L.A. forward Blake Griffin recorded 23 points, a career-high 11 assists and 11 rebounds, the third triple-double of his career and the first for the Clippers since Griffin recorded his second on the final day of the 2010-11 season.

Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers watched the game from courtside.