Certainly the team's starting five could use a breather, but they unexpectedly got some relief in a blowout loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Forward Zach Randolph only played 24 1/2 minutes, and his string of 20-plus-point scoring games ended when he was held to four points. Clearly showing fatigue, Randolph missed his first seven shots. Point guard Baron Davis also had dead legs, as he only made two of his nine field-goal tries.

But the Clippers only get a one-day respite before their next game at home against the Toronto Raptors, who have been one of the NBA's most disappointing teams. Toronto had hoped for much better when it acquired forward/center Jermaine O'Neal to team up with All-Star forward Chris Bosh. However, the Raptors languish in last place in the Atlantic Division, and their horrendous start cost coach Sam Mitchell his job.

One of the lone points of pride for Toronto has been the play of guard Jose Calderon, who has been near-perfect from the free-throw line along with being one of the league's top assist-makers.

The Raptors split with the Clippers last season in the two-game series, winning at Staples Center but losing to the visiting Clippers at Air Canada Centre.

Since taking over as coach of the Clippers, Mike Dunleavy is 5-5 against Toronto.

As for the weary Clippers' much-needed rest, after the game against the Raptors, they will have five consecutive days off before their next game against the Dallas Mavericks.

Finally, some relief.

BUCKS 119, CLIPPERS 85: Although NBA games rarely are decided in the first half, this one was. The Clippers trailed by 30 points at halftime, their biggest intermission deficit of the year, in ending their road trip on a disheartening note. The Bucks shot 51.7 percent from the field and placed a Clippers-opponent-high eight players in double figures.