Trail Blazers Push to Thrilling Win Over Damian Lillard, Bucks

The Portland Trail Blazers welcomed Damian Lillard and the Milwaukee Bucks to the Moda Center in fine style on Wednesday night, standing toe-to-toe with the championship contenders and refusing to back down even an inch. Milwaukee carries a reputation for sketchy defense. They did nothing to disprove it tonight.

Guards Scoot Henderson and Anfernee Simons carved into them like a venison roast. Portland’s interior play remained strong as well. They scored 56 in the paint, taking advantage of another Milwaukee weakness.

Damian Lillard scored 25 in his first homecoming in an enemy uniform, but Henderson countered with 15 and Simons 24. Portland’s frontcourt players showed strong as well. Deandre Ayton had 20 and Jerami Grant 18.

As everybody expected, the driving story of the game bore the initials “D.L.” In a twist of fate, though the “D” stood for defense…Milwaukee didn’t play much. And the L? Portland hung one on the Bucks, 119-116.

The Blazers shot 53.3% from the field, 42.9% from the arc, and countered Milwaukee’s 19-9 free throw attempt advantage by shooting 100% from the charity stripe.

What a night. What a win. If you’re in a good mood because of it, consider donating a couple of tickets so kids in need can see these Blazers play later this spring. See that just below, then enjoy reading how the victory unfolded.

First Quarter

If the Blazers were going to be intimidated by the Bucks, they had a funny way of showing it. Jabari Walker hit a three to start the game (in contrast to the two logo attempts Lillard was about to miss), helping Portland to a 3-5 start from the field and a 7-2 lead with 2:00 gone.

After that, the Bucks got un-stupid, going to Giannis inside for unstoppable shots. That brought them back right away. It also opened up the three-point arc for Milwaukee. Khris Middleton and Malik Beasley hit from deep, and suddenly the faucet was wide open for the Bucks. At the 6:31 mark, they had come all the way back to take a 17-14 lead, prompting Head Coach Chauncey Billups to break the momentum with a timeout.

Anfernee Simons kept the Blazers rolling, hitting quick threes like Damian Lillard once did on this hardwood. Deandre Ayton also chipped in from the lane. Portland’s offense looked nice. Or, perhaps, Milwaukee’s defense didn’t.

Brook Lopez hit threes to put the Bucks up again, but Scoot Henderson and Duop Reath both scored on layups/dunks, completely unafraid. The atmosphere in the Moda Center seemed almost joyous as both teams threw haymakers with abandon.

When Reath hit a three with 1:18 remaining, Portland stood within 1, 33-32. Milwaukee went on a mini-run to push the lead to six again, but Henderson splashed a three at the buzzer, completing an 11-point period, contrasted to Lillard’s 8. Milwaukee led 38-37 after one.

Second Quarter

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