The Portland Trail Blazers edged the Milwaukee Bucks 105-102 in a tightly contested game on Saturday night. Anfernee Simons led the charge with 28 points, including the decisive three-point play in the final moments.
With 23.5 seconds left, Simons was fouled on a drive to the basket, converting both the layup and the ensuing free throw to put Portland up 103-102. Giannis Antetokounmpo, who finished with 31 points and 11 rebounds, had previously given Milwaukee a 102-100 lead after hitting two free throws.
Milwaukee failed to capitalize on its next possession, turning the ball over without attempting a shot. Portland regained possession with 8.4 seconds remaining, allowing Simons to hit two free throws that sealed the win. On the Bucks’ final possession, Damian Lillard missed a contested three-point attempt, ending their hopes for a comeback.
Simons received significant support from Deni Avdija, who contributed 19 points, 14 rebounds, and four assists. Toumani Camara added 15 points, while Shaedon Sharpe chipped in 16. The Trail Blazers shot 48.2% from the field and connected on 36.1% of their three-point attempts.
For Milwaukee, AJ Green provided a spark off the bench with 21 points, tying his career-high with seven three-pointers. Lillard scored 16 points and added six assists, though he struggled with his shooting, going 5-for-15 from the field. The Bucks shot 43.2% overall and made 31.7% of their three-point shots, falling short in key moments.
The victory snapped Portland’s two-game losing streak, improving their record to 12-22. The Trail Blazers have now won three of their last five games. Meanwhile, Milwaukee dropped to 17-16 and has lost four of its last five games, all to teams with sub-.500 records.
For the Bucks, Antetokounmpo’s dominance in the paint kept them in the game, but turnovers and poor execution in crunch time proved costly. Milwaukee’s bench, led by Green and Bobby Portis, combined for 42 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the team’s late miscues.
