The Portland Trail Blazers welcomed Damian Lillard and the Milwaukee Bucks to the Moda Center in fine style on Wednesday night, standing toe-to-toe with the championship contenders and refusing to back down even an inch. Milwaukee carries a reputation for sketchy defense. They did nothing to disprove it tonight.
Guards Scoot Henderson and Anfernee Simons carved into them like a venison roast. Portland’s interior play remained strong as well. They scored 56 in the paint, taking advantage of another Milwaukee weakness.
Damian Lillard scored 25 in his first homecoming in an enemy uniform, but Henderson countered with 15 and Simons 24.