Clippers rout Bucks, continue marvelous turnaround

Season-high 3 games over .500.

Darius Garland’s hot-shooting Clippers career continued in Sunday afternoon’s win. (Photo credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images)

Turns out, late in the season can be a good time for achieving firsts.

It took 158 days, but the LA Clippers have reached a season-high three games over .500 thanks to Sunday afternoon’s 127-113 win in Milwaukee.

The Clippers’ victory over the Bucks (39-36) was the team’s fifth straight win, putting them one shy of equaling their longest streak of the season.

Considering where they were on Dec. 18, sitting on a plane flying back home from Oklahoma City following their 21st loss in 27 tries, the Clippers (39-36) have proven that perseverance and mentality are traits worth believing in.

“I think the biggest thing is a healthy Kawhi (Leonard), that’s one,” said Clippers coach Tyronn Lue when asked what stands out since that dreadful 6-21 start.

“And just the guys we got in the locker room, that’s what I’m most pleased about,” Lue continued, “because they could have easily gave up, they could have easily gave in, and every single guy in the locker room, including Kobe Brown, Zu (Ivica Zubac), James (Harden), they played a big part in it, as well. Just those guys being able to start 6-21 but come in every single day to get better in practice, to get better in the games, to sacrifice no matter what it took to win games. That was huge for us. It just says a lot about the guys in the locker room.”