Milwaukee played with fire this Sunday evening at home against Portland, a match marked by the first reunion of Damian Lillard with his former team.
The Blazers gradually gained confidence against the Bucks’ not very aggressive defense at the start of the game, with a 10-2 initiated by Deandre Ayton and concluded by Matisse Thybulle’s 3-pointer (20-24) and an advantage of +5 in the score after 12 minutes (26-31).
Chauncey Billups’ troops hit the nail on the head thanks to Scoot Henderson once again skilful from distance. Portland this time went 13-2 to have a 15-length lead (32-47). Malcolm Brogdon then took over with the same intensity, and despite some good passages from Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, Portland did much better than resist, turning +16 at the break (52-68)!
Bobby Portis unlocks the Bucks
After another big period of hesitation which still allowed Portland to increase the gap to an improbable +26 on a 3-pointer from Jerami Grant (55-81), Milwaukee finally woke up. The Lillard-Antetokounmpo-Lopez trio had to work hard to go 14-0 and come back to 12 lengths 4 minutes from the end of the third quarter (71-83).
Giannis Antetokounmpo continued to give of himself to get points near the circle, with a big dunk and a 2+1 against Deandre Ayton in particular. But it was Bobby Portis who was the final trigger for the locals’ return to business. After a first basket snatched while touching following four offensive rebounds from the Bucks, the interior scored twice at 3-points before delaying to allow Damian Lillard to complete a 12-0 and bring his team to -1 (94-95).
Faced with a paralyzed Blazers, it was Damian Lillard who took charge of the end of the match, first scoring the 3-point equalizer on a superb step-back in front of Malcolm Brogdon, then going to provoke the foul of the latter to scroe two more throws (99-99).
Malik Beasley’s precious 3-pointer and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s welcome tap allowed Milwaukee to take control and never let go. As a symbol, it was Damian Lillard who finished the job with a 4/4 free throw which sealed the victory in favor of his new team (108-102).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Milwaukee back from hell. The Bucks played to scare each other and the evening could have ended very badly. Already in difficulty in the first half, the locals conceded a gap of up to 26 points before resurfacing and winning down to the wire. This is the biggest comeback of the season so far.
– Dame Lillard on her 31. All eyes were on Damian Lillard for his first reunion with the Blazers. The leader did not disappoint, notably with decisive baskets at the end of the match to finish with 31 points (4/12 at 3-points), 5 rebounds and 4 assists.
– The touch of “Bobby Bounce”. The Bucks needed a spark to make their comeback come true in the fourth quarter. It was Bobby Portis who lit the fuse with three baskets while touching. The first on a “finger roll” at the end of the effort after a second offensive rebound in a row, then on a 3-pointer which bounced on the circle before falling into the net. The interior added a layer with a new 3-pointer from the corner which this time only found the string. In a flash, Milwaukee was definitely back in the race.
– Scoot Henderson adjusted the sights. It’s an understatement to say that the rookie point guard was suffering on the 3-point shot since the start of the season after having converted only 2 attempts out of 24. Always placed off the bench as has been the case since his return injury, he redeemed himself last night against the former Portland franchise player, to whom he has the difficult task of succeeding. Author of a 3/3 behind the arc to start the match, he was more discreet afterwards, finishing with 13 points in 27 minutes.
How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
