PORTLAND, Ore. — Anfernee Simons scored 24 factors, together with making a key floater with 17.1 seconds left, and the Path Blazers spoiled former teammate Damian Lillard‘s return to Portland with a 119-116 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night time.
Lillard completed with 25 factors for the Bucks of their second straight loss below new coach Doc Rivers. Giannis Antetokounmpo added 27 factors and eight rebounds.
Deandre Ayton had 20 factors and 11 rebounds for the Blazers, who’ve received two straight.
It was Lillard’s first sport in Portland since he was traded to the Bucks within the offseason. Lillard was the face of the Blazers’ franchise for his first 11 seasons within the NBA.
The Blazers held a slim lead on the half and saved it shut within the third quarter, pulling forward 86-81 on Matisse Thybulle’s 3-pointer. Simons hit a jumper that gave Portland a 96-61 lead going into the ultimate quarter.
Malcolm Brogdon hit a 3-pointer that stretched Portland’s result in 101-91. Lillard’s 3 closed the hole to 101-95 for the Bucks.
Milwaukee pressured Portland down the stretch. Brook Lopez’s 3-pointer narrowed it to 113-112, however Jerami Grant answered with an off-balance jumper for Portland on the opposite finish with 2:21 left.
Lillard’s layup pulled the Bucks inside some extent once more. Antetokounmpo put the Bucks in entrance on an ally-oop dunk from Lillard with 37.2 seconds left. However Simons’ floater gave Portland again the lead and Grant added a pair of free throws.
Within the ultimate seconds, the Blazers fouled Antetokounmpo, who missed each free throws to provide Portland the win.
Regardless of the loss, it was Lillard’s night time. The eight-time All-Star was handled to a prolonged ovation earlier than the sport and tributes performed on the video scoreboard throughout timeouts. At one level, he gave the impression to be moved to tears.
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His driving layup was Milwaukee’s first basket of the sport.
It was simply the second sport for the Bucks below Rivers. The Denver Nuggets spoiled his debut on Monday night time with a 113-107 victory.
Rivers took over final week for first-year Bucks coach Adrian Griffin, who was fired after 43 video games and a 30-13 report. Whereas Milwaukee sits simply behind leaders Boston within the Japanese Convention, there have been considerations in regards to the Bucks’ slipping defensive ranking.
Lillard was acquired simply earlier than the beginning of the season to staff up with two-time MVP Antetokounmpo in hopes of one other NBA title. The Bucks received the championship in 2021.
The Blazers have targeted on growing younger expertise in Lillard’s absence. Scoot Henderson, the No. 3 total choose within the draft final yr, had 15 factors within the first half off the bench.
Portland, second to final within the Western Convention, stayed shut with the Bucks all through the primary half. Simons’ 3-pointer close to the top of the half tied it at 61 and Portland went into the break forward 67-65.
The groups met earlier this season with the Bucks successful 108-102 in Milwaukee.
UP NEXT
Bucks: Go to the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday.
Path Blazers: Play the primary of two straight on the Denver Nuggets on Friday.
