When it comes to winning in general, the Portland Trail Blazers do not miss Damian Lillard, but not on nights when they play the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Blazers moved to 3-1 versus Lillard since he was traded to Milwaukee prior to the 2023–24 season, defeating him and the Bucks 125–112 Tuesday night at the Moda Center to clinch a two-game sweep of the Bucks.
The Bucks, who are currently in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, are not very upset about the loss. But it means something to a young Blazers team to beat a team like Milwaukee.
This season, Portland has defeated the Bucks and other title contenders in a number of games. The Blazers’ previous four-game winning streak was ended by their loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder (37-8) on Sunday, but this victory confirms it.
After drawing a foul in the third quarter of a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Moda Center on January 28, 2025, in Portland, Oregon, Camara #33 of the Portland Trail Blazers is assisted by teammates Donovan Clingan #23 and Shaedon Sharpe #17. Rio Giancarlo/Getty Images took the picture.Getty Pictures
The Bucks led 36-31 going into the second quarter and went on to gain a 12-point advantage.
“I felt that we took a long time to get into the game,” stated coach Chauncey Billups of the Blazers. With Dame and Giannis, they had a very significant first quarter. They settled in.
With 2:23 remaining in the half, Anfernee Simons made a fall-away three to put the Blazers ahead 57-56. Then, the team went on a run and grabbed the lead.
The Blazers led 64-61 at the half after Simons hit a fall-away jumper in the lane.
The Blazers led 97-89 going into the fourth quarter because to 14 points from Deni Avdija in the third quarter.
The Bucks were never able to catch up to the Blazers, who dominated the last quarter and built a 19-point advantage.
With 30 points, Avdija led the Blazers, followed by Simons with 25.Deandre Ayton pulled down 14 rebounds and scored 21 points.Shaedon Sharpe scored 17 points after coming off the bench.
Avdija remarked, “I believe we came to play today.” We were combative. I believe we got off to a slow start at first. However, today we were only sharing the ball.
The Bucks were led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, who finished with 39 points and 12 rebounds. He attempted 24 field goals, making 17 of them.
Antetokounmpo scored 14 points in the third quarter after scoring 16 in the first and 21 at the half. The Blazers restricted him to four points in the fourth quarter.
On January 28, 2025, in Portland, Oregon, the Milwaukee Bucks’ #34 Giannis Antetokounmpo makes a pass in the second quarter of a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Rio Giancarlo/Getty Images took the picture.Getty Pictures
Billups stated, “I thought our defense as a whole in the second half was really elite.” Of course, he scores 39 points and pulls down 12 rebounds. That’s how tough he is. However, when we were able to move him outside of seven feet from the hoop, I felt that our defense was excellent against him.
Lillard finished with 20 points and six assists on 7 of 17 field goals and 2 of 6 three-pointers.
The Bucks made 11 of 35 (31.4%) three-pointers, while the Blazers made 12 of 28 (42.9%).
With a 52-36 rebounding advantage, the Blazers achieved yet another significant statistical victory.
When we win the glass by 16, this seldom ever occurs for us, Billups stated. That is a huge, huge concern.
IMPORTANCE OF IT
After defeating Milwaukee 105-102 on January 4, the Blazers (18-29) have now won five of their previous six games. The Bucks (26-19) have won nine of their last 12 games, but they have dropped two of their last three.
BLAZERS VS. LILLARD
Against the Blazers, Lillard kept shooting below his capabilities. In his three games versus Portland since the previous season, he had gone 21 of 59 (35.5%) from the field and 9 of 33 (27.3%) from three-point range going into tonight’s game.
On January 28, 2025, in Portland, Oregon, the Milwaukee Bucks’ #0, Damian Lillard, reacts after making a three-point jumper in the first quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center. Rio Giancarlo/Getty Images took the picture.Getty Pictures
In four games versus the Blazers, he is now 11 of 39 (28.2%) from three-point range and 28 of 76 (36.8%) from the field.
The enthusiasm and adaptability of the Blazers left Lillard feeling impressed.
“They have a lot of different guys that handle the ball and put pressure on the rim, and I think they play with a lot of energy and defensive versatility,” Lillard said. All they do is play aggressively.
LINEUP
With only Matisse Thybulle (ankle) sidelined Tuesday night, the Blazers started the game as healthy as they have been all season.
However, Jerami Grant, a forward, exited the game in the third quarter due to an ankle injury and did not come back. In less than sixteen minutes, he scored eight points.
Simons, Avdija, Toumani Camara, Grant, and Ayton were all started by Billups.
UPCOMING
At 7 p.m. on Thursday, the Blazers take on the Orlando Magic (24-24).
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Aaron J. Fentress | [email protected]|@AaronJFentress (Facebook), @AaronFentress (Instagram), and @AaronJFentress (Twitter)
