The Portland Path Blazers, on a five-game journey, make their second cease Saturday in Milwaukee to face Damian Lillard and the Bucks.
This would be the third time Lillard has confronted his former group since being traded earlier than the beginning of the 2023-24 season.
“He’s clearly a nightmare to arrange for,” Blazers coach Chauncey Billups informed reporters after Friday’s apply in Milwaukee. “There’s so many ways in which he can impression the sport and damage you. We’ll attempt all the pieces, like we do with all nice gamers. However he’ll be motivated and he’ll attempt to play nicely like he all the time does.”
The sport begins at 5 p.m.
Lillard is averaging 25.1 factors and seven.6 assists for the 17-15 Bucks, who’ve misplaced three of their final 4 video games.
The group break up the two-game collection final season. On November 26, 2023, Milwaukee gained the primary assembly at dwelling 108-102. Lillard scored 31 factors in a recreation the Bucks used a 33-14 fourth quarter to rally from a big deficit to drag out the win.
Lillard and the Bucks traveled to play Portland on Jan. 31, 2024, for the rematch and misplaced 119-116.
Lillard scored 25 factors with seven assists however shot simply 3 of 13 on three-pointers. Anfernee Simons, who missed the primary assembly, scored 24 factors. His floater with 17.1 seconds remaining gave the Blazers a 117-116 lead.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard is defended by Portland Path Blazers guard Anfernee Simons throughout an NBA recreation at Moda Middle in Portland, Oregon on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024.Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
“I’m 1-0 (towards Lillard),” Simons joked to reporters Thursday at Cryto.com Enviornment following a 115-106 loss to the Lakers.
Simons anticipated Lillard to deal with the assembly like simply one other recreation, including that he seemed ahead to dealing with his former teammate and mentor.
“It’s going to be enjoyable competing towards one another like how we did in apply,” Simons mentioned.
Billups, who coached Lillard for 2 seasons in Portland, had an analogous view: “Greater than something, it’s going to simply be enjoyable. And there’s nothing extra enjoyable than successful. So, let’s attempt to win it.”
The Blazers (11-22) host the Bucks on Jan. 28.
— Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Fb)
