The Portland Trail Blazers secured a narrow victory over the Milwaukee Bucks with a score of 105-102, led by Anfernee Simons' impressive 28 points and Deni Avdija's contribution of 19 points. The game was tightly contested, especially in the final moments, as Giannis Antetokounmpo had given the Bucks a brief 102-100 lead with two free throws. However, Simons responded with a pivotal three-point play, putting the Blazers ahead 103-102 with just 23.5 seconds left on the clock.
In a crucial turn of events, the Bucks failed to capitalize on their next possession, resulting in a turnover without a shot attempt. This misstep allowed Portland to regain possession, where Simons sealed the game by hitting two more free throws, extending the lead to 105-102. Damian Lillard had a chance to tie the game for Milwaukee but missed a three-pointer on their final possession. Despite the loss, Antetokounmpo had a standout performance with 31 points and 11 rebounds, while AJ Green contributed significantly with 21 points, including seven three-pointers that matched his career high.
The victory marked a much-needed win for the Trail Blazers, snapping a two-game losing streak and improving their record to three wins in the last five games. Conversely, the Bucks have struggled recently, suffering their second consecutive loss and four defeats in their last five games, all against teams with losing records. Looking ahead, both teams are set to face off again on Monday, with the Trail Blazers taking on the Detroit Pistons and the Bucks facing the Toronto Raptors.
