Both teams spent last week on the road - the Bucks on a three-game trip, the Clippers four games in five nights - and the consensus before the game was that whichever team did not experience an energy crisis would be the victor.

The Bucks led by as many as 32 points in the second quarter, 40 in the third and 44 in the fourth in improving to 13-16.

"We knew it was going to be an energy game," said point guard Luke Ridnour, one of eight Bucks to score in double figures. "Both teams were coming off a back-to-back. We knew their starters played a lot of minutes last night so we knew it was going to be an energy game, and we came out with a little more energy and we jumped on them from the start."

Coach Scott Skiles found little to fault with his team, which put the hammer down early by shooting 75% in the first quarter with 10 assists and took a 37-15 lead.

"I'm really pleased with the way we played. . . obviously," he said. "Our first 8 minutes of defense was very, very good. It allowed us to get out in the open floor and we made some great decisions in the open floor. The second-unit guys came in and they had a lot of pop, and we were able to take them out of the things they normally like to do.

"A great team effort."

It was Milwaukee's most lopsided victory of the season, surpassing Friday night's 24-point victory in New York. The Bucks, who broke a three-game home losing streak to the Clippers, have won four straight at home and four of the last five overall.

The Clippers were coming off a double-overtime victory at Indiana on Friday in which all five Los Angeles starters played between 48 and 50 minutes. The Bucks were playing their third game in four nights.

"Whenever you have that first game home after a road trip, it's always tough," said forward Richard Jefferson, who led Milwaukee with 22 points. "No matter if it was three (games) in six nights. It's still difficult because you've been on the road so much. We're just trying to play more consistently, and I think that's starting to show."

Said Center Andrew Bogut, "This is the biggest win we've had at home since I've been here. So it's nice to actually be sitting in the fourth quarter for once."

With the Clippers missing their first six shots, the Bucks scored the first eight points and held a nine-point lead 4? minutes into the game.

Jefferson was particularly active, driving the lane unimpeded on one possession for a dunk that gave Milwaukee a 16-8 lead.

The Bucks, getting defensive stops and running the floor, scored seven straight points and led, 23-10, with 3:50 left. A pair of jumpers and a three-pointer by Charlie Villanueva helped the Bucks to a 37-15 lead after one quarter. It was the Bucks' season-high point total for the first quarter.

The last time the Bucks led by 22 or more after one quarter was Jan. 15, 2000, when they led Toronto by 24 points.

The Bucks made 15 of 20 shots in the first quarter (75.0%), while the Clippers made 4 of 20 (20.0%). Milwaukee had 10 fast-break points in the quarter.

"We had a lot of easy transition looks," said Ridnour, who finished with 18 points and seven assists. "It wasn't all jump shots. It was layups, it was different (things). The ball was moving. When we do that our shooting percentage is definitely better."

The Bucks led by 30 at halftime and took a 93-58 lead into the fourth quarter.

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