Western Conference Title Still in Dunleavy’s Sights

MILWAUKEE — Coach Mike Dunleavy doesn’t see any reason why the Clippers couldn’t win the Western Conference championship.

“It all comes down to health and matchups, but I don’t think there’s anybody out there we can’t beat,” Dunleavy said.

So he agrees, then, with television analyst Charles Barkley, who recently said the same thing.

“What he said, it doesn’t scare me, and I don’t think he’s out of his mind,” Dunleavy said of Barkley. “I think it’s a possibility. He’s watched some games, he’s seen us, and we have a chance defensively to do it.”

The Clippers last won a playoff game in 1993.

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Backup point guard Shaun Livingston continued to contribute off the bench in Saturday’s 106-98 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.

Livingston, who had six points, six rebounds and three assists, was especially effective on defense while playing against Milwaukee guard Michael Redd.

Although Redd led all scorers with 32 points, Livingston and Quinton Ross hounded Redd throughout the game.

“Shaun and Q have been doing a great job on big-time scorers,” Dunleavy said. “They really make people work hard for what they get.”

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Milwaukee forward Bobby Simmons, the NBA’s most improved player with the Clippers last season, missed 11 of 15 shots and scored 12 points. Simmons is third on the Bucks in scoring, averaging 13.4 points.