The Portland Trail Blazers secured a 125-112 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday at Moda Center, keeping Damian Lillard winless in his return visits since being traded.
Trail Blazers' young team played some scintillating ball.
Deni Avdija led the Blazers with 30 points, nine rebounds, and two steals, shooting 10-of-18 from the field and 3-of-7 from beyond the arc. He also converted 7-of-9 free throws.
Anfernee Simons contributed 25 points, while Deandre Ayton recorded a double-double with 21 points and 14 rebounds.
Giannis Antetokounmpo paced the Bucks with 39 points on 17-of-24 shooting and grabbed 12 rebounds. Lillard finished with 20 points, shooting 7-of-17 from the field and 2-of-6 from three-point range, while adding six assists.
Milwaukee started strong, leading 36-31 after the first quarter and extending the margin to 12 points in the second. Portland responded with a run, taking a 64-61 lead into halftime after Simons hit a fall-away jumper in the lane.
Avdija took over in the third quarter, scoring 14 points as the Blazers built a 97-89 advantage. Portland pulled away in the fourth, stretching the lead to 19 before sealing the win.
The Blazers dominated the glass, out-rebounding the Bucks 52-36, including 17 offensive rebounds that led to 17 second-chance points. Ayton, Toumani Camara, and Avdija combined for 34 boards.
After the game, Anfernee Simons praised his young team's continued growth this season.
Lillard is now 0-2 in Portland since the trade. The Blazers, who previously won 105-102 in Milwaukee on Jan. 4, improved to 18-29 with their fifth win in six games. The Bucks, at 26-19, have dropped two of their last three.
Portland hosts the Orlando Magic on Thursday, while Milwaukee visits the Sacramento Kings.
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