The Milwaukee Bucks will look to salvage the final game of their three-game homestand as the Portland Trail Blazers make their annual visit to Fiserv Forum. While he won’t be playing, Damian Lillard is making the trip back to Milwaukee (per Bobby Portis) for the first time since being cut by the Bucks in the offseason. The Bucks were swept by the Trail Blazers last season, with Portland winning the previous matchup 125-112 on Jan. 28.
Where We’re At
The Milwaukee Bucks continued their losing streak on Saturday in a blowout
loss to the Detroit Pistons. The final score made it seem like a closer game than it actually was, with the Pistons leading by as many as 29 points in the middle of the third quarter. The Pistons’ physical defense gave the Bucks fits all night, as they stole the ball 10 times and forced 15 total turnovers. Milwaukee is going to have to find a way to get a couple of wins, even without their All-NBA player, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and starting point guard Kevin Porter Jr. Ryan Rollins has carried the offense in the four games without Giannis, putting up averages of 28.2 PPG, 8.7 APG, and 4.7 RPG alongside a shooting line of 54.2% (20.7 FGA)/48.2% (7.2 3PA)/69.2% (3.2 FTA).
Portland has tumbled a little bit since starting the season 5-3, going 2-7 in their last nine games. A lot of that has to do with the mountain of injuries they have sustained, with Jrue Holiday, Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, Blake Wesley, Matisse Thybulle, Robert Williams III, and Lillard all out. The shorthanded Blazers got the worst possible matchup last night, facing the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. It went about as well for Portland as you would think, as they lost by 27 points, 122-95. Jerami Grant was the only Blazer to score over 20 points with 21, and was one of only three players to score in double figures.
Injury Report
There are no changes to the Bucks’ injury report from the last couple of games. Giannis Antetokounmpo (left groin strain), Kevin Porter Jr. (right meniscus surgery), and Taurean Prince (neck surgery) are all still out with their respective injuries.
As of writing, the Trail Blazers haven’t submitted a report because they are on a SEGABABA after playing the Thunder last night.
Player To Watch
This feels more like a matchup to watch, but one player to always keep an eye on is the Blazer’s stellar wing defender Toumani Camara. The Pistons used Ausar Thompson as the primary defender on Rollins and it gave him trouble all night. Expect the Blazers to provide Rollins with the same treatment tonight.
How To Watch
FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin at 7:00 p.m. CST.
