Bobby Portis has been suspended for 25 games for violating the league’s anti-drug policy. His absence will deal a huge blow to a Bucks team that already doesn’t have great depth. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard and Andre Jackson Jr. are all listed as questionable for the Bucks, but even if they play, I like this spot for the Clippers with Portis out. The Clippers have improved their depth with the additions of Bogdan Bogdanovic and Ben Simmons. They also won three straight games heading into the break. Take the deeper team here to cover.

Bobby Portis, out. Giannis Antetokounmpo, questionable at best. Damian Lillard, questionable. Milwaukee emerges from the all-star break hardly in optimum position for the stretch run, especially with Portis suspended for nearly the rest of the schedule. For L.A., newly acquired Ben Simmons impressed in his debut last week and provides depth. The dreaded load management is always an issue with the Clippers as stars sit out, but that is no concern for this matchup. (It will be soon as they embark on a seven-game road trip).

The Bucks' defense has been brutal, and even if The Greek Freak is all the way back, he played 35 minutes vs LAC last time, and the Clippers still put up 127 on them. The Bucks were 4-7 in their last 11 games, allowing 121 ppg in that span. They allowed 115 or more in eight of those games. The Clippers emerged from a lull to score 120+ in three straight games and getting their legs back under them. Bucks are 18th in defensive rating for the month of Feb. It's been a chronic problem far too often and not something they rectified at the deadline.