Clippers look to beat the Bucks for second time in a week

For the second time in a week, the Clippers have a chance to beat the Milwaukee Bucks.

Last Wednesday, behind 31 points from J.J. Redick and 18 assists from Chris Paul, they did just that, beating the Bucks, 109-95. This meeting — unlike the previous — is at Staples Center, a home appearance nestled inside what is otherwise a seven-game trip.

“We did actually try to get this one changed,” Coach Doc Rivers said. “We preferred to stay out on the road and finish the next two and then have a break. But it is what it is, there’s not much you can do about it. Every team goes through something like this at some point, we assume, and we’re going through it now.”

Rivers might not be thrilled with the way the schedule broke out, but he also isn’t complaining about how his players have responded. The Clippers are 8-2 in their last 10 contests.

“Going through this stretch and not playing well would be no fun, I can tell you that,” Rivers said. “We were fortunate enough to win the other night and that was a nice flight back.”

The Bucks (2-11 on the road) are in the midst of a tumultuous stretch. They’re 1-3 in their last four games (including the loss to the Clippers), but their one win was a doozy, knocking off the then-unbeaten Golden State Warriors. They followed that up Tuesday with an 18-point defeat to the Lakers, who have the worst record in the Western Conference.

Milwaukee’s free-fall to the bottom portion of the Eastern Conference partially can be attributed to injuries. The team is without guard Jerryd Bayless, who has a sprained ankle, and fellow guard Greivis Vasquez, who had surgery on his right ankle Tuesday and will be out at least three months.

They’re also missing big man Greg Monroe (16.2 points, 9.8 rebounds a game), who sat out against the Lakers and underwent an MRI exam Wednesday that revealed a sprained MCL in his right knee. He won’t play against the Clippers, the Bucks announced earlier Wednesday.