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Blazers top former teammate Lillard, Bucks 125-112

Avdija leads Portland with season-high 30 points

By ANNE M. PETERSON, AP Sports Writer
Published: January 28, 2025, 9:44pm
6 Photos
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, left, dribbles the ball against Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, in Portland, Ore.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, left, dribbles the ball against Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Howard Lao) Photo Gallery

PORTLAND — Deni Avdija scored a season-high 30 points and the Portland Trail Blazers bested former teammate Damian Lillard with a 125-112 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night.

Anfernee Simons added 25 points for Portland, which has won five of its last six. The Blazers led by 19 points in the final quarter.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 39 points and 12 rebounds for the Bucks, who had won nine of their last 11 but were playing their third game in four nights.

The game marked Lillard’s second trip to Portland since he was traded to the Bucks ahead of last season. Lillard, who spent 11 seasons with the Blazers, finished with 20 points.

The Bucks went up 47-35 on Gary Trent Jr.’s pullup jumper, but Portland went ahead 64-61 at the break. Shaedon Sharpe’s 3-pointer stretched the Blazers’ lead to 82-73 in the third.

Takeaways

Bucks: Milwaukee was coming off a 125-105 victory at the Jazz. Lillard and Antetokounmpo had 35 points in that win. Taurean Prince was called for a flagrant foul on Avdija in the first quarter.

Trail Blazers: Guard Scoot Henderson was named to the Rising Stars event during All-Star weekend. … Avdija had 14 points in the third quarter. He finished with nine rebounds. … Jerami Grant left the game in the second half with a right ankle injury.

Key moment

Simons hit a 3-pointer that gave the Blazers a 57-56 lead with 2:23 left in the first half as the Blazers clawed back from a 12-point deficit. Simons had 12 points in the second quarter alone.

Key stat

The Blazers are 3-1 against the Bucks since they traded Lillard.

Up next

The Trail Blazers host Orlando on Thursday night.

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BLAZERS 125, BUCKS 112

MILWAUKEE (112) — Antetokounmpo 17-24 5-10 39, Prince 2-5 0-0 4, Lopez 4-12 0-0 11, Jackson Jr. 3-3 2-2 9, Lillard 7-17 4-4 20, Beauchamp 1-1 0-0 3, Livingston 0-0 0-0 0, Middleton 0-2 0-0 0, Connaughton 2-5 0-0 4, Rollins 4-5 0-0 9, Trent Jr. 4-11 0-0 11, Umude 0-2 2-2 2. Totals 44-87 13-18 112.

PORTLAND (125) — Camara 3-6 2-2 8, Grant 2-4 3-4 8, Ayton 9-19 3-4 21, Avdija 10-18 7-9 30, Simons 9-17 3-3 25, Murray 0-0 0-0 0, Walker 0-1 0-0 0, Clingan 2-2 0-0 4, Reath 0-0 0-0 0, Henderson 4-7 1-2 10, McGowens 0-0 2-2 2, Rupert 0-0 0-0 0, Sharpe 6-14 2-2 17. Totals 45-88 23-28 125.

Milwaukee 36 25 28 23 112
Portland 31 33 33 28 125

3-Point Goals—Milwaukee 11-35 (Lopez 3-9, Trent Jr. 3-10, Lillard 2-6, Beauchamp 1-1, Jackson Jr. 1-1, Rollins 1-2, Connaughton 0-1, Middleton 0-1, Prince 0-2, Umude 0-2), Portland 12-28 (Simons 4-8, Avdija 3-7, Sharpe 3-7, Grant 1-1, Henderson 1-2, Ayton 0-1, Camara 0-2). Rebounds—Milwaukee 36 (Antetokounmpo 12), Portland 52 (Ayton 14). Assists—Milwaukee 26 (Lillard 6), Portland 26 (Simons 7). Total Fouls—Milwaukee 22, Portland 18. A—17,030 (19,393)

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