Bucks Fall to Blazers as Lillard Returns to Portland

Bucks Fall to Blazers as Lillard Returns to Portland

Portland delivers a strong performance to claim a 125-112 victory over Milwaukee at Moda Center.

The much-anticipated game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Portland Trail Blazers took place on January 28, 2025, at the Moda Center. The Bucks, with a record of 26-18 after their recent win over the Utah Jazz, were looking to continue their strong form, having won six of their last seven games. Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers, sitting at 17-29, were eager to bounce back after a 118-108 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder just days earlier.

Giannis Antetokounmpo was expected to lead the Bucks, despite dealing with right knee tendinopathy. The two-time MVP had been on a tear recently, averaging 31.5 points per game. The Bucks were also missing Bobby Portis due to personal matters and AJ Green due to injury. On the Blazers' side, players like Deni Avdija and Anfernee Simons were expected to step up, with Avdija coming off a series of solid performances.

As the game tipped off, the atmosphere in Portland was charged, especially with Damian Lillard facing his former team for the second time since his trade to Milwaukee. Blazers' head coach Chauncey Billups noted the emotional weight of the matchup, saying, "It's always fun – the king is back," referring to Lillard's return to Portland.

Milwaukee entered the game as 5.5-point favorites, with the total set at 230 points, reflecting their recent success and favorable matchups against struggling teams.

However, the Bucks faced challenges early, with fatigue from the back-to-back games starting to show. Despite shooting 65% from the field early on, Milwaukee struggled to control the boards. Portland capitalized on this, grabbing 17 offensive rebounds and scoring 17 second-chance points. Deni Avdija had a standout performance, scoring a season-high, while multiple Blazers stepped up to help shift the momentum.

Giannis Antetokounmpo continued to fight through the fatigue, finishing with 39 points, but Portland's team-oriented play and energized home crowd proved too much. The Blazers held on for a 125-112 win, marking another memorable homecoming for Lillard against his former team.

Following the loss, the Bucks fell to 26-19, highlighting the challenges of maintaining momentum, especially on the road. The Blazers, on the other hand, secured their fifth win in their last six games, showing the depth of their roster and continued improvement as the season progresses.

Both teams will reflect on the matchup as they prepare for upcoming games, with the Bucks focusing on regrouping and pushing for playoff positioning. With the playoffs nearing, the stakes continue to rise, and fans can expect even more exciting matchups as the season unfolds.

This game underscored the competitive nature of the NBA, where each contest holds the potential to impact playoff hopes, and players have the chance to step up and make a difference. Every team brings its unique story and strengths to the court, making each game significant in the pursuit of postseason success.

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