Lillard's homecoming to Portland is spoiled by the Blazers, while Durant's Suns defeat the Nets

Lillard's homecoming to Portland is spoiled by the Blazers, while Durant's Suns defeat the Nets

Los Angeles: On Wednesday, January 31, the Trail Blazers defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 119-116. Damian Lillard's heartfelt return to Portland was met with cheers.

After spending his first 11 NBA decades as a Blazer, Lillard enjoyed herself his first game in Portland since the trade that brought him to Milwaukee in September.

Lillard felt the love after receiving a thunderous standing ovation and a video tribute, but the Bucks lost for the second straight game under new head coach Doc Rivers, who was forced to leave the court despite the team finishing in second place. was brought in after Adrian Griffin's abrupt termination. Boston Celtics are the team in the Eastern Conference.

With 17.6 seconds remaining, Anfernee Simmons, who was formerly under Lillard's coaching in Portland, scored 24 points to lead the Trail Blazers and secure the victory with a floater.

With 37.9 seconds left, Lillard scored a basket and set up Giannis Antetokounmpo for an alley-oop basket to put Milwaukee up 116–115.

The Bucks were led by Antetokounmpo, who scored 27 points, and Lillard, who scored 25, but after Simmons' game-winning jumper and Jerami Grant's foul shot clinched the victory, the Bucks were unable to score.

"It was a little weird, playing alongside him in a real game for the first time," Simmons said. "But it was fun. Undoubtedly he plays the same way against any individual, he has the same demeanor. But I'm convinced tonight it felt a little different."

After making a victorious comeback to Brooklyn, Kevin Durant led the Phoenix Suns to a 136–120 victory against the Nets with 33 points.

When Durant arrived in Brooklyn for the first time after the sensational deal that sent him to Phoenix the previous season, he was greeted with enthusiasm.

The Nets released a video tribute, and supporters cheered his entrance.

The anger of the Nets supporters was replaced with happiness, but the Suns, who had a three-point lead at the half, quieted the Barclays Center audience with a thrilling fourth quarter. Durant scored eleven points in the frame, and Phoenix took command, beating Brooklyn 42–26.

Devin Booker added 22 points, while Jusuf Nurkic scored 28 points and pulled down 11 rebounds for the Suns.

"It was good," Durant said of his return to Brooklyn, where he had given up on his ambition of winning a championship with Kyrie Irving and James Harden and the Brooklyn Nets.

Now that Durant, Booker, and Bradley Beal form a formidable trio, the Suns are hoping that their experience in Brooklyn, along with those of his current colleagues elsewhere, will only serve to further their chances of winning a championship.

Everyone in our league and in our locker room has experienced a lot, including injuries, moving teams, and other things,” Durant remarked. We're combining them all, and our goal is to improve as a team by using our expertise and knowledge. superior group."

The Thunder defeated the reigning champion Denver Nuggets, who were missing two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic because of lower back pain, 105–100 in Oklahoma City behind 34 points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

heat stop the slide

After Minnesota defeated Dallas 121-87, the Thunder moved into second place in the Western Conference. This was their third victory in four games versus the Nuggets this season.

Karl-Anthony Towns scored 29 points to lead Minnesota, while Josh Green scored 18 points to lead the Mavericks—who were missing Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic due to injuries.

The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Wizards 125-109 in Washington, D.C., despite the absence of star forward Paul George.

With 31 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and four steals, Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers. Los Angeles has now won nine of its previous 11 games after suffering a setback against Cleveland on Monday.

After a protracted injury, Darius Garland returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers, and they defeated the Detroit Pistons 128–121 at home.

For Cleveland, Donovan Mitchell contributed 45 points, while Garland scored 19 points in his first game back from a fractured jaw he sustained on December 14 against Boston.

The Miami Heat defeated the Sacramento Kings 115-106 at home to end a seven-game losing run, powered by Jimmy Butler's 31 points.

Keegan Murray of Sacramento scored the most points (33), while Domantas Sabonis had a triple-double (19 points, 17 rebounds, and 13 assists).