Brand leads Clippers over Bucks

Cuttino Mobley added 22 points for Los Angeles, which had 31 assists in the game, on the way to a third consecutive victory. Mobley and Brand each went 10-of-15 from the floor.

"I was happy with our defense tonight, especially in the third quarter," Brand said. "They were missing a few key guys, but we can’t feel sorry for them. We’ve had guys out too. We needed this victory."

Chris Kaman contributed 11 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high six blocks for the Clippers, who beat the Bucks for a fourth straight time overall and for a seventh straight time in Los Angeles.

"I was pleased about the outcome of the game and the way we played," Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said. "Over 30 assists is a positive for us. We did a lot of good things tonight."

Charlie Bell had 24 points to lead Milwaukee, which has dropped four in a row and nine of 10.

The Bucks played without forwards Bobby Simmons and Charlie Villanueva (right shoulder tendinitis), and guards Michael Redd (strained patellar tendon in left knee) and Mo Williams (sprained left shoulder). Simmons is already out for the season after having surgery on his heel.

A hook shot by Kaman extended LA’s lead to 16-9, but the Bucks battled back later in the opening quarter, getting within 26-24 following a layup from Ruben Patterson. The Clippers finished the period with eight straight points, including a driving jam from Brand.

The Clippers had a season-high 69 points in the first half, on the way to an 11-point lead at the break. It was 89-74 going into the fourth, and the Bucks never made a big push in the final 12 minutes.

Kaman’s jumper capped a string of 13 straight points, bridging the end of the third into the fourth, for a 98-74 margin.

Corey Maggette added 15 points and Quinton Ross 13 for LA.

Patterson had 16 points and Earl Boykins 14 for Milwaukee.

Game Notes

Milwaukee closes out its four-game road trip in Sacramento on Wednesday...The Clippers are 20-21 at the midway point of the season, a half-game behind Minnesota for the eighth seed in the Western Conference.