Bucks’ Damian Lillard makes second return to Portland
Damian Lillard’s second journey again to Portland is nowhere close to as large a deal as his first.
After Lillard made a much-anticipated return final season, the thrill is way lighter this time as he and the Milwaukee Bucks go to the Portland Path Blazers on Tuesday evening.
Lillard spent 11 seasons because the face of the Path Blazers and is the franchise’s all-time chief with 19,736 profession factors and a couple of,387 3-point baskets.
“We bought the primary one out of the best way,” Lillard, referring to his sport at Portland in January 2024, stated after the Bucks’ 125-110 highway win over the Utah Jazz on Monday. “That one was a bit bit bizarre coming again for the primary time. It wasn’t lengthy after I used to be traded. …
“I believe, this yr, it will likely be a bit bit extra chill. I spent 11 years there. It is going to be good to see everyone … However we’re there to win a sport first.”
“Dame Time” ran out when Lillard wasn’t on board with Portland’s rebuilding timeline and he pressured a commerce to the Bucks previous to the 2023-24 season.
Lillard obtained a protracted, rousing ovation when launched earlier than the sport final season, however the return was bittersweet because the Path Blazers spoiled the event with a 119-116 victory. Lillard had 25 factors and 7 assists.
Lillard enters the Tuesday contest with a streak of 11 straight video games of 20 or extra factors. He’s averaging 27.3 factors throughout that stretch.
His return falls within the second sport of a back-to-back set. Milwaukee shot a scorching 60.5 % from the sector in opposition to Utah whereas profitable for the ninth time prior to now 11 video games.
Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo every scored 35 factors. Antetokounmpo additionally collected 18 rebounds.
Antetokounmpo has a streak of 10 straight 20-point outings. He’s averaging 31.4 factors and 13.6 rebounds throughout that run.
Lillard stated his rapport is strong with Antetokounmpo, a two-time league MVP.
“I believe it is grown lots,” Lillard stated. “Clearly, you set two nice gamers collectively and it will take time for us to determine easy methods to be our true and full selves on the ground on the identical time.
“I believe we each got here into this season with a special mentality and linked higher than earlier than. … We simply bought to proceed to search out methods to make it extra dominant.”
Earlier this month, Portland notched a 105-102 highway victory over the Bucks. Anfernee Simons scored 28 factors for the Path Blazers whereas Antetokounmpo had 31 factors and 11 rebounds for Milwaukee. Lillard scored 16 factors on 5-of-15 capturing.
Portland recorded a season-best 4 straight victories earlier than dropping a 118-108 resolution to the visiting Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder on Sunday within the opener of a seven-game homestand.
Path Blazers reserve Scoot Henderson made 5 3-pointers and scored 25 factors for his fifth 20-point effort of the month.
Henderson was picked No. 3 general within the 2023 draft. Portland utilizing the choose as a substitute of buying and selling it for a veteran prompted Lillard’s commerce request.
Path Blazers coach Chauncey Billups is carefully watching Henderson’s growth.
“It is beginning to turn out to be so in keeping with Scoot,” Billups stated lately. “… He is enjoying rather well. I am pleased with Scoot.”
Within the loss to Oklahoma Metropolis, Portland’s Deni Avdija contributed season bests of 28 factors and eight assists to go together with eight rebounds whereas Toumani Camara scored a career-high 24 factors and matched his profession greatest of 5 3-pointers .
Billups was impressed with how his workforce carried out in opposition to the NBA-leading Thunder.
“There was nothing that occurred within the sport that discouraged me in any respect,” Billups stated. “I felt good about our effort, I felt good about our execution.”
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