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Bucks continue trek against Clippers

Jan 7, 2012 - 3:55 PM (Sports Network) - The Milwaukee Bucks will resume a west coast trip that is quickly turning into a nightmare when they square off with the much-improved Los Angeles Clippers tonight at Staples Center.

So far the Bucks have lost on all three stops on their trek, Denver, Utah and Sacramento.

Most recently Milwaukee collapsed in California's capital on Thursday.

In their first game without head coach Paul Westphal, who was fired earlier in the day, the Kings rallied and overcame a 21-point halftime deficit to shock the Bucks, 103-100, and give Keith Smart his first win as Sacramento's interim mentor.

Brandon Jennings netted 31 points and dished out seven assists to pace the Bucks, who are winless as the visitor this season (0-4). Drew Gooden added 18 points and nine rebounds while Stephen Jackson contributed 13 points for Milwaukee.

The Bucks, who will also visit Phoenix, played without Mike Dunleavy (illness/groin), Luc Mbah a Moute (right knee tendinitis) and star center Andrew Bogut (personal matters) and expect to be without all three again tonight. Bogut is questionable and both Dunleavy and Mbah a Moute are doubtful.

Bogut's Australian manager, Bruce Kaider, refused to pinpoint the nature of the personal issue Bogut is going through but Jennings told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that the big man had returned "home," which could mean Australia or Milwaukee.

The Clippers, meanwhile, will be finishing up a four-game homestand tonight.

LA improved to 2-1 on the residency Wednesday when Chris Paul scored 20 points and dished out 10 assists while Blake Griffin added 22 points and nine rebounds as the Clippers routed the Houston Rockets, 117-89.

Randy Foye chipped in 16 points off the bench for LA, which shot a sizzling 57.3 percent from the floor. Chauncey Billups returned after missing two games with a sore right groin to score 13 points and dole out four assists while Caron Butler contributed 11 points.

The Clippers turned the ball over just seven times while forcing 19 giveaways from the Rockets.

"It was our defense tonight," Paul said. "When we get stops and get out and run, we're an exciting team to watch."

The Clips and Bucks have split the home-and-home series in the past four seasons. This is their only meeting in 2011-12, however, because of the condensed 66-game schedule due to the lockout.