Second defeat in a row for the defending champion, this time trapped by Portland and his Hart-Simons-Nurkic trio who were quick to capitalize on the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The good start of newcomer Serge Ibaka was not enough. To sign a 3rd victory in a row, the Blazers warmed up at the end of the first quarter with the distant missiles of the Hart-Watford-McLemore trio.
But it was in the second quarter that Portland made the difference (40-24), notably passing an 11-2 marked by two new 3-point baskets from Josh Hart and Anfernee Simons (45-51) , The latter then continued the solo show with a 3/3 behind the arc which this time put the Bucks on the ropes (48-65).
Relegated to 17 lengths at halftime following a final basket from Anfernee Simons (54-71), the Bucks were unable to worry Portland afterwards. Alongside Josh Hart and Anfernee Simons, Jusuf Nurkic then brought his stone to the building, in particular to briefly increase the gap to +21 (61-82).
The home side’s comeback attempt in the last act came to an end when Anfernee Simons lined up a half-range basket, a 3-pointer and an assist for Jusuf Nurkic’s lay-up (96-107). Also served by Simons, the Elleby-Hart pair finished the job from afar to offer victory to Portland (107-122).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– A new dynamic for Portland. A page is clearly turning in Oregon and Chauncey Billups is building a new dynamic with a regenerated and motivated group. This third victory in any case reinforces the position of the “front office” to go on a new project, with Anfernee Simons at the head of the gondola but not only, the Hart-Nurkic pair having also been a great help.
– The “Giannis dependency” of the Bucks. Only one being is missing… The weapons of the Bucks are however numerous to compensate for the absence of the MVP. But the way Milwaukee tripped over the carpet in this match reminds us how essential the “Greek Freak” is in Mike Budenholzer’s device, between Jrue Holiday’s 7 lost balls and the 1/8 to 3 -points from Khris Middleton, two lieutenants who foiled in the absence of their “go-to-guy”.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Anfernee Simons. On its way, the nugget of the Blazers still delighted. It was he who created the gap with his series of 3-pointers before the break, and it was again he who ensured to repel the Bucks at the end, whether at the finish or the pass for Jusuf Nurkic then for the Elleby-Hart duo. From the great Anfernee Simons who finished with 31 points and 6 assists.
✅ Josh Hart. Casually, the former Swiss army knife of the Pelicans is also doing damage with Portland. His successful acclimatization resulted in a new full game, with 27 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists and a flurry of communicative energy.
⛔ Khris Middleton. We expected him as the offensive leader of the Bucks in the absence of the “Greek Freak”, but the winger had a hole on this point, making a sad 3/15 shooting, 1/8 from 3-pointers. Without Giannis Antetokounmpo, he necessarily benefits from less space. His clumsiness is barely compensated by his 11 rebounds and 9 assists, the Bucks having lost to a bottom team at home.
THE FOLLOWING
Milwaukee (35-23) : back-to-back for the Bucks at home against Indiana.
Portland (24-34) : the Blazers continue in Memphis on Wednesday.
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