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The Portland Trail Blazers recorded their most impressive early season win on Thursday night, beating the Milwaukee Bucks for a 118-103 win in front of a raging Moda Center crowd.
CJ McCollum regained form, leading the pack with 40 points, the highest total of the season. The Blazers started a four-game losing streak against the Bucks and gave Milwaukee (8-2) their second loss of the year.
"Really a good win against a very good team," said Blazers coach Terry Stotts at the end of the match. "I'm really proud of the way we played, and obviously CJ was exceptional on the offensive."
Portland, who has now won five of six wins, improves to 8-3 on the season with the win.
GREAT PERFORMANCE
McCollum had 19 points on 9 of the 11 shots in the third quarter en route to his 40 points, the highest score of the game. He finished 17 of 26 field goals and 5 of 10 of the three goals, adding six assists of the season and four flights in the game, with five rebounds.
Evan Turner recorded his first double-double of the season with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while distributing four assists.
Damian Lillard finished with 13 of 5 points out of 15, his lowest total of the season.
Jusuf Nurkic (12 points) and Jake Layman (10 points) were the only other two-digit Blazers. Nurkic also had eight rebounds and six assists.
Zach Collins scored nine points and five rebounds in 24 minutes.
A trio of Bucks finished double digit, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo's 23. Antetokounmpo, who recorded his second triple-double of the season in a win against Sacramento on Sunday, added nine rebounds and six assists.
Khris Middleton had 22 points, eight rebounds and six assists and Brook Lopez knocked down three three points to finish with 22 points.
It was finished when
Turner hit a three-under-16 – match for the Blazers – to give Portland a 109-95 lead with a time remaining at 4:22. The Blazers maintained their two-digit lead until the end.
They said it
"I'm just working on my job, I think the biggest thing I'm proud of is getting ready, whether I play well or not, I know how much time I spend preparing, watching movies, decompose how I can be effective I think I shot 15 shots mid-range, I made 12, I should not have missed the three I missed but I can live with that because these are blows I practice every day. "- CJ McCollum at his big party
FIRST QUARTER FLURRY
In a duel featuring two of the best teams in the league, we expected the points to arrive early, often on Tuesday night, and the Blazers and Bucks did not disappoint. Portland and Milwaukee combined for a total of 64 points in the first quarter in 48 attempts, including 26 at the three-point range, with both teams making half of their attempts. The Blazers were even 12 out of 24 from the field and 7 out of 14 long-range, while the Bucks retaliated with 12 of their 24 goals on the field and 6 of 12 on the outside. The first quarter was marked by seven lead changes and four draws.
THIS AND THAT
Portland, who shot 52.7% of the field, scored 17 (out of 43) three-point markers, one more than the three-point record of the season. … These 17 shots came in the wake of Portland who scored 13 of 63 goals in the round of the last two games combined. … Seven different Blazers created a three-point pointer. … Portland and Milwaukee allied themselves to try to throw 16 free throws. The eight attempts for each were a low season for the Blazers and their opponent. … Portland's 23 assists were three at the top of the season. … The Blazers beat the 51-42 Bucks. The Portland bench had 35 points against 27 in the Milwaukee reserves. … Former Blazers goaltender, Pat Connaughton, made his first return to Portland since signing with Milwaukee as a free agent during the off season. He finished with two points and two rebounds in six minutes. Moe Harkless (left knee) missed his sixth straight game.
NEXT UP
The Blazers left Wednesday before returning to the field to face the Los Angeles Clippers Thursday night at the Moda Center in the first of four games between the two teams this season. The refitted Clippers are 6-4 on the year, currently occupying fifth place in the Western Conference standings. Portland has won three straight victories against LA.
– Sean Meagher
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