The Milwaukee Bucks visit the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center on Tuesday night in a rematch of their January 4 meeting, which Portland won 105-102. The Bucks, 26-18 and fourth in the Eastern Conference, will look to even the season series. Portland, sitting 13th in the Western Conference at 17-29, aims to end a tough stretch and pick up a signature win at home.
Milwaukee comes into this game on the second night of a back-to-back, fresh off a dominant 125-110 win over Utah. Portland, meanwhile, is looking to bounce back from a 118-108 loss to Oklahoma City, which snapped their season-best four-game winning streak. The return of Damian Lillard to his former home highlights this matchup.
Milwaukee Preview – Lillard and Giannis in Full Flow
The Bucks are 9-2 over their last 11 games, with Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the way. Lillard, averaging 27.3 points over his last 11 games, has found his rhythm alongside Antetokounmpo, who has posted a double-double in 10 straight games. In Monday’s win over Utah, the duo combined for 70 points, with Giannis adding 18 rebounds.
Lillard returns to Portland for the second time since being traded in 2023. His last game at the Moda Center ended in a narrow loss despite his 25 points and seven assists. Milwaukee will look to improve on their recent shooting performance, having hit 60.5% from the field against Utah, as they continue to build chemistry between their two superstars.
Milwaukee’s defense will also be critical in this matchup. The Bucks rank 10th in points allowed per game (111.5) and have one of the league’s top shot-blocking units, led by Brook Lopez. Limiting Portland’s young shooters will be a key focus.
Portland Preview – Young Stars Emerging
Portland is 5-2 in its last seven games, with young players stepping up. Anfernee Simons has been a consistent contributor, averaging 21.6 points over that stretch, while rookie Scoot Henderson continues to show promise. Henderson recorded five 3-pointers and 25 points in the Blazers’ recent loss to Oklahoma City, showcasing his offensive development.
Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara had standout performances against the Thunder, scoring 28 and 24 points, respectively. Avdija also chipped in eight rebounds and eight assists, demonstrating his versatility. Portland’s offense will need a similar effort to compete against a Bucks team that boasts strong interior defense.
Despite their recent improvement, the Blazers remain inconsistent, particularly on the defensive end, where they rank 22nd in opponent field goal percentage (47.3%). Limiting Milwaukee’s potent offense and finding scoring balance will be critical if they want to pull off another upset against the Bucks.
Betting Prediction
The Bucks are favored by 6.5 points, with the total set at 229.5. Milwaukee’s dominant duo of Lillard and Antetokounmpo gives them a significant edge against a young and inconsistent Portland team. However, the Blazers have covered the spread in four of their last five games and may keep this close if their shooters get hot.
Expect Milwaukee to control the game late and cover the spread, with the total likely going under as both teams rank near the middle of the league in pace. The Bucks’ defense and star power should prove too much for the Blazers to handle.
Pick: Milwaukee -6.5 and Under 229.5
