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Randolph, Clippers try to stay hot vs. Bucks

Dec 20, 2008 - 2:58 PM LA Clippers (8-18) at Milwaukee (12-16), 8:30pm EST

MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- Through the first several weeks of the season, the Los Angeles Clippers had gone quietly back to their long-established place as one of the NBA's laughingstocks. But over the last week, the Clippers have begun to show rare signs of life.

Winners of four of their last five - including victories over likely playoff teams Portland and Houston - the Clips will try to stay hot Saturday night as they visit the inconsistent Milwaukee Bucks.

One reason - perhaps the primary reason - for the Clippers' recent turnaround is the addition of forward Zach Randolph. For all his talent, Randolph has not been able to find a steady home over the last few seasons, bouncing around from Portland to New York and now to Los Angeles.

But he has felt right at home of late. He has scored at least 30 points in four of five games, including a 34-point, 16-rebound effort in Friday's double-overtime road victory over the Indiana Pacers. He had 38 and 11 in an upset victory over the Trail Blazers on December 12. In 11 games with the club, he has eight double-doubles.

The Bucks, meanwhile, have won three of four following a three-game skid. Michael Redd led six players in double figures with 21 points in Friday night's 105-81 rout of the New York Knicks. Richard Jefferson and Luc Mbah a Moute added 16 apiece.