MILWAUKEE — Anfernee Simons scored 28 points and Deni Avdija 19 as the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 105-102 on Saturday night.
Anfernee Simons and Deni Avdija power the Trail Blazers past the Bucks 105-102
Anfernee Simons scored 28 points and Deni Avdija 19 as the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 105-102 on Saturday night.
By JIM HOEHN
January 5, 2025 at 3:37AM
Giannis Antetokounmpo hit two free throws to give the Bucks a 102-100 lead. Simons was fouled on a scoring drive and completed the three-point play, giving Portland a 103-102 lead with 23.5 seconds remaining.
Milwaukee turned it over on its next possession without getting a shot, giving Portland possession with 8.4 seconds remaining.
Simons hit two more free throws with 5.4 seconds left, giving Portland a 105-102 lead. Damian Lillard missed a 3-point try from the left side on the Bucks' final possession.
Antetokounmpo finished with 31 points and 11 rebounds, and AJ Green added 21 points on seven 3-pointers.
Takeaways
Trail Blazers: Portland snapped a two-game skid and won for the third time in five games.
Bucks: Milwaukee has lost two straight and four of five, with each loss to teams with sub-.500 records.
Key moment
Simons' three-point play gave the Blazers the lead for good at 103-102 with 23.5 seconds remaining.
Key stat
Green's seven 3-pointers matched his career high.
Up next
Both teams play again Monday. The Trail Blazers are at the Detroit Pistons, and the Bucks are at the Toronto Raptors.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
about the writer
JIM HOEHN
The Associated PressTennessee, nation's lone unbeaten, strengthens grip on No. 1; WVU, Michigan, Utah St enter AP Top 25
Tennessee tightened its grip on No. 1 in the AP Top 25 on Monday following a pair of lopsided wins, including one over SEC rival Arkansas, that left the Volunteers as the only undefeated team in men's Division I college basketball.