----- Anfernee Simons scored a team-high 24 points and Deandre Ayton recorded a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds as the Portland Trail Blazers spoiled Damian Lillard's return with a 119-116 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks Wednesday night at Moda Center.
Trail Blazers spoil Damian Lillard's return to Portland!
Anfernee Simons scored 24 points including the go-ahead bucket with 17.6 seconds remaining as the Portland Trail Blazers defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 119-116 Wednesday night at Moda Center in Portland.
Lillard played his first game at Moda Center since being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks prior to the season after spending the first 11-seasons of his career with the Trail Blazers.
Lillard was greeted by a standing ovation during the announcement of the starting lineups that lasted nearly 30 seconds. The Trail Blazers showed multiple tribute videos of Lillard during his time in Portland on the big screen in the arena throughout the game.
Portland (15-33) took a 101-91 lead early in the fourth quarter following a Malcolm Brogdon three-pointer. Milwaukee (32-16) roared back with a 19-8 run cutting the Blazers lead to one-point at 113-112 with 2:45 remaining.
Jerami Grant pushed the Blazers lead back to three-points at 115-112 on a difficult jumper as he was falling to his left but the Bucks had one last push.
Back-to-back turnovers from Deandre Ayton and Simons resulted in dunks by both Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo giving the Bucks a 116-115 lead with 37.2 seconds remaining.
On the Trail Blazers next possession, Simons found redemption when he scored in the paint off a euro-step giving Portland a one-point lead at 117-116.
Brook Lopez would miss a three on the Bucks next possession with Portland securing the rebound. Grant hit two free throws to give the Blazers a three-point lead with less than 10 seconds on the clock.
The Blazers fouled Antetokounmpo at halfcourt. He missed the first free throw and intentionally missed the second but Portland controlled the rebound and secured the win.
Scoot Henderson impressed with 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting, Grant finished with 18, and Malcolm Brogdon added 14 points and six assists.
The Trail Blazers finished the night with 26 assists and just 11 turnovers. Portland connected on 53% of their field goals.
Lillard finished the night with 25 points on 9-of-23 shooting.
Up Next- The Trail Blazers travel to Denver for the first of back-to-back games Friday night against the Nuggets. The game is scheduled to tip off at 6:00 PM.
Chad's Take- Great team-win tonight with multiple players making game-winning plays. Assist-to-turnover ratio was sensational. Atmosphere and fan love for Lillard was awesome!