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The Portland Trail Blazers, amidst a five-game excursion, will make their second halt Saturday in Milwaukee to contend against Damian Lillard and the Bucks.
This marks the third occasion Lillard has faced his previous team since the trade prior to the commencement of the 2023-24 season.
“He’s evidently a challenge to prepare for,” Blazers coach Chauncey Billups shared with reporters after Friday’s practice in Milwaukee. “There are so many avenues through which he can influence the game and harm you. We’ll attempt all tactics, as we do with all exceptional players. But he will be driven and will attempt to perform excellently as he consistently does.”
The match kicks off at 5 p.m.
Lillard is currently averaging 25.1 points and 7.6 assists for the 17-15 Bucks, who have dropped three of their last four games.
The team divided the two-game matchup last season. On November 26, 2023, Milwaukee prevailed in their first encounter at home 108-102. Lillard recorded 31 points in a contest where the Bucks mounted a 33-14 fourth quarter rally from a significant deficit to secure the win.
Lillard and the Bucks ventured to play Portland on Jan. 31, 2024, for the rematch, suffering a loss of 119-116.
Lillard contributed 25 points along with seven assists but managed to hit only 3 of 13 from beyond the arc. Anfernee Simons, absent during the first encounter, tallied 24 points. His floater with 17.1 seconds left gave the Blazers a 117-116 advantage.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard is defended by Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons during an NBA contest at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024.Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
“I’m 1-0 (against Lillard),” Simons quipped to reporters Thursday at Cryto.com Arena following a 115-106 defeat to the Lakers.
Simons anticipated Lillard would regard the meeting as merely another game, expressing his enthusiasm for competing against his former teammate and mentor.
“It’s going to be exciting to compete against each other like we did in practice,” Simons noted.
Billups, who coached Lillard for two seasons in Portland, echoed a similar sentiment: “Above all, it will simply be enjoyable. And there’s nothing more enjoyable than winning. So, let’s aim for that.”
The Blazers (11-22) are scheduled to host the Bucks on Jan. 28.
— Aaron Fentress | [email protected] | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)
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