The Milwaukee Bucks wrap up their four-game West Coast road trip against the Portland Trail Blazers tonight at Moda Center. Embarrassed by Brook Lopez and Los Angeles Clippers on Monday, the Bucks look for better fortune against another former franchise icon, Jrue Holiday. But the task will be anything but easy against a Trail Blazers team that has won four out of its past five. The Bucks and Blazers have played once already this season, with the Blazers claiming a 115-103 victory behind 35 points—including
16/19 free throws!—from Jerami Grant.
Where We’re At
Prior to the Clippers game, I likened the Bucks’ season to Cormac McCarthy’s The Road. As it turns out, I may have been too kind. Down by as many as 46 points against the Clippers, things looked bleaker than ever. Ryan Rollins and Ousmane Dieng, saviours against the Phoenix Suns, tied for a team-worst—and personal season-worst—plus/minus (-37), while committing five and four turnovers, respectively. And after several minutes-long stretches where the Bucks couldn’t buy a basket, Cam “I’m a bucket” Thomas’ waiving just hours earlier seemed cruelly poetic. On the plus side, Pete Nance’s conversion to a standard, multi-year NBA contract is well deserved and a testament to the work he’s put in all year long (and prior to that). Additionally, Gary Trent Jr. (20 points, six threes) had his most prolific outing since dropping 20 points against the Brooklyn Nets in December.
The Blazers, meanwhile, have put themselves in the thick of play-in action. Currently sitting ninth, just half a game behind the Clippers, Portland has benefited from a career-year from Deni Advdija (24.1 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 6.7 APG), internal growth from the likes of Donovan Clingan (12.4 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 1.7 BPG), and the steady veteran presence of Holiday (15.8 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 6.7 APG). Most recently, they demolished the Brooklyn Nets 134-99 behind 35 points (9/11 from three) from 2024-25 All-Defensive Second Teamer Toumani Camara and 15 rebounds and a season-high seven blocks from Clingan.
Injury Report
For the Bucks, Giannis (Left Knee; Hyperextension; Bone Bruise), Kevin Porter Jr. (Right Knee; Synovitis) and Gary Harris (Left Groin; Contusion) are out. Kyle Kuzma (Right Achilles; Soreness) and Bobby Portis (Right Wrist; Sprain) are questionable.
For the Blazers, Damian Lillard (Left Achilles Tendon; Injury Management), Shaedon Sharpe (Left Fibula; Stress Reaction), and Yang Hansen (G League – On Assignment) are out. Jerami Grant (Left Foot; Soreness), Vit Krejci (Left Calf; Contusion), and Robert Williams III (Left Knee; Injury Management) are all questionable.
Player to Watch
Hours after the world discovered Pete Nance’s contract conversion, he put up a career-high-tying 12 field goal attempts (in a team-high 32 minutes). Granted, the game was over early, and it’s not within Nance’s character to suddenly become a gunner. Still, it will be interesting to see how Nance’s new contract—and the security that comes with it—impacts his overall play. Even more interesting is how Nance’s role evolves moving forward. Does Nance remain in his current role, handy but often out of the rotation when everyone is healthy, or do the Bucks envision him as something more and look to simulate that for the remainder of the season? Either way, Nance has earned his spot, making the most of the minutes he has played—13.3 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 2.1 APG, and 1.4 stocks per 36 minutes, while shooting 55% from the field and 47% from three.
How To Watch
Tune in at 9:00 p.m. CDT on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin.
