The Milwaukee Bucks misplaced their fourth sport in 5 outings, falling 105-102 Saturday evening at dwelling to the Portland Path Blazers.
After the sport, Bucks guard Damian Lillard, who performed 11 seasons with the Blazers, lamented that his staff did not seize victories in opposition to lesser competitors.
“I believe it’s simply having the ability to preserve our focus,” Lillard advised reporters when requested about dropping to lesser groups. “Such as you mentioned, we’re enjoying in opposition to groups which might be in all probability going to be within the lottery.”
The Bucks’ final 4 losses got here in opposition to the Blazers (12-22), Chicago Bulls (16-19) and twice to the Brooklyn Nets (13-22).
“These groups, they don’t have anything to lose,” Lillard mentioned. “They’re younger, they’re filled with vitality, they play onerous. They’re properly coached.”
On Saturday, Lillard had an opportunity to drag out the win however got here up quick on a number of events after Blazers guard Anfernee Simons made a three-point play to offer the Blazers a 103-102 lead with 23 seconds remaining within the sport.
On the Bucks’ subsequent possession, Lillard tried to move to Bobby Portis within the left nook. However Portis took off towards the rim and the move went out of bounds.
“I got here down, I had the Iso,” Lillard mentioned. “Once I stepped again, I in all probability ought to have shot it. I attempted to hit Bobby. He thought I used to be going to shoot, so he crashed. Ended up being a turnover.”
The Bucks then fouled Simons with 5.4 seconds remaining, and he made each free throws to make the rating 105-102.
Milwaukee Bucks’ Damian Lillard tries to get previous Portland Path Blazers’ Deandre Ayton through the first half of an NBA basketball sport Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Picture/Morry Gash) APAP
On the ultimate play, Lillard moved to his left after which obtained up a leaning three-point shot with Simons defending him.
“I simply wished to get the ball and get a shot up,” Lillard mentioned. “Once I rose up it felt good popping out of my palms. I truly thought it was going to go in.”
He additionally thought Simons had bumped his legs and {that a} foul ought to have been referred to as. One wasn’t and the Blazers received.
Lillard positioned the blame on his shoulders.
“No sport comes right down to the final one or two possessions,” Lillard mentioned. “However that’s why groups signal and pay nice gamers. As a result of they know in conditions, they count on for us to come back by and make performs and make pictures and have that sort of impression on the finish of video games. I simply wasn’t ok in these previous few possessions.”
Lillard completed with 16 factors, whereas Simons scored 28, together with 23 within the second half.
Lillard mentioned he was pleased with his former teammate, whom he has mentored since Simons entered the league in 2018.
He talked about Simons getting into the league at 18 and pouring into the younger guard. Understanding collectively, having conversations, watching movie and instructing him the tips of the commerce.
“I really feel like every part that I see him do on the market is identical stuff that I do,” Lillard mentioned. “The identical fashion, the identical pictures, the identical rhythm. So, generally it’s simply humorous to see as a result of he’s my first younger rookie that I performed with for a very long time. And I used to be in a position to actually get my palms on him. To see him proceed to develop, I’m simply proud to see it.”
— Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Fb)
