James Harden scores 40 as the Clippers pull off an impressive win over the Bucks

On By Littum

Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell (24) shoots like Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Clippers guard Norman Powell makes a shot as Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo defends during the first half of the Clippers’ 127-117 victory Saturday at the Intuit Dome. (Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press)

The Cutting machines knew their top-notch defense would be stretched by a Milwaukee Bucks team led by the NBA All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo. They knew their excellent defense would be tested by one of the best shooting teams in the NBA, a team riding a five-game winning streak.

The Clippers were resolute in the face of these challenges and pulled out an impressive one 127-117 win over Milwaukee on Saturday at the Intuit Dome.

Read more: Tyronn Lue is not happy with what he sees from the Clippers in the win over the Wizards

James Harden scored 17 of his game-high 40 points in the third quarter, and his hot shooting helped the Clippers open a one-point lead heading into the fourth. Harden is one of six players in the NBA to have at least three 40-point games this season.

Norman Powell was on offense all game and scored 33 points. It was his eighth 30-plus point game this season, a career best. Kawhi Leonard continued to play limited minutes in his return from a knee injury, scoring 18 points in 24 minutes.

Antetokounmpo lived up to the billing of being one of the league’s best players, a player who entered the game ranked second in scoring (31.3 points per game) and fifth in rebounding (12.0). He had 36 points and 13 rebounds against the Clippers.

The Clippers (26-19) are ranked third in the NBA in defense, holding teams to 106.6 points per possession. game, second in defensive rating at 107.1 and fifth-best in field-goal percentage at 45%.

They put that up against a Bucks team that was sixth in shooting from the field (48.3%) and second in three-point shooting (39%).

The Bucks (25-18) have one of the league’s best three-point shooters in Damian Lillard, who had a triple-double with 29 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds.

Read more: The Celtics (missing two key players) rally to defeat the shorthanded Clippers in overtime

Sign up for the LA Times SoCal high school sports newsletter for scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.