Clippers Become Perfect Fodder

MILWAUKEE — The Clippers offered little resistance as the Milwaukee Bucks closed in on a playoff spot.

Toni Kukoc scored 26 points to tie his season high, and the Bucks defeated the Clippers, 112-92, Wednesday night. Because of the Washington Wizards’ loss to the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee can clinch a playoff berth with one more victory or a loss by the Wizards.

Elton Brand scored 21 points and Corey Maggette had 20 to lead the Clippers, who trailed by 21 at halftime and couldn’t get closer than 13 in the second half.

“We didn’t do anything out on the court,” Clipper Coach Dennis Johnson said.

The Clippers led, 12-3, before an 11-0 run helped the Bucks take a 28-21 lead after one quarter.

Sam Cassell and Kukoc scored 16 points each and Gary Payton added 12 in the first half as the Bucks took a 62-41 halftime lead.

The Clippers scored the first six points of the second quarter to get within 10, but Milwaukee finished the half with a 15-4 run.

“Milwaukee is on a playoff run,” Brand said. “They saw it slipping away in the beginning, and they turned it up. They got hot, and we started to miss.”

Buck Coach George Karl lauded Kukoc’s production, which included 10-of-15 shooting from the field, six of six free throws, seven rebounds, eight assists and three blocked shots.

“Kukoc was fantastic,” Karl said. “It was probably one of the best games I’ve seen him play.”

Sam Cassell added 22 points for the Bucks, and Payton had 21.