Portland Path Blazers coach Chauncey Billups will get his two-game want in a five-game journey.
Chauncey Billups made it clear he desires to see his group enhance defensively after producing a 124.4 defensive score in December, contributing to a 3-9 report for the month.
Two video games into the journey, Billups likes what he sees.
The Blazers gained 105-102 Saturday night time in Milwaukee, holding the Bucks properly beneath their 112.3 factors per sport common.
Portland started its journey with a 114-106 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. On this sport, the Blazers’ offense failed them by committing 18 turnovers which led to 24 factors for the Lakers. General, the Blazers protection performed solidly.
After two video games into this journey, the Blazers have a defensive score of 109.3, which ranks them ninth over that span.
Saturday’s win included 28 factors from a all of a sudden sizzling Anfernee Simons. However the protection performed towards Giannis Antetokounmpo and former Blazers star Damian Lillard.
The Blazers held Lillard to 16 factors on 5-of-15 capturing. Antetokounmpo scored 31 factors with 15 rebounds.
One of many group’s defensive factors, Billups mentioned, was to compete onerous towards the 2 stars whereas holding them off the free throw line.
“We did an unimaginable job tonight,” Billups advised reporters at Fiserv Discussion board.
Antetokounmpo made 3 of 4 from the free throw line. Lillard went 4 of 5.
Antetokounmpo averages 11.1 free throws per sport and Lillard 6.8. Reducing their mixed free throws virtually in half contributed to the Blazers’ victory.
Shaedon Sharpe of the Portland Path Blazers fouls Damian Lillard of the Milwaukee Bucks in the course of the first half of an NBA basketball sport, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photograph/Morry Gash)APP.A.
“It’s about exhibiting your fingers and being bodily with out fouling,” Billups mentioned. “I assumed we have been disciplined there and did the most effective job we may.”
Blazers ahead Toumani Camara frolicked defending the 2 Bucks superstars. He mentioned the group excelled defensively by trusting the sport plan, staying related and speaking.
“We had 4 good quarters (…),” Camara advised reporters. “I feel all of us managed to maintain our matchups going.”
The Blazers are 4-4 since ending a six-game dropping streak on Dec. 21. Their wins got here towards Denver (20-14), Dallas (20-15), Utah (8-25) and the Bucks (17-16). ). Defeating successful groups is value it.
“While you play properly, you anticipate to win,” Billups mentioned. “And loads of instances we play properly in video games, and we simply do not get it achieved ultimately. So, I assumed sticking to what we needed to do and never becoming bored and never getting rattled when the sport obtained nearer was a giant deal for us right this moment.
In accordance with Camara, successful shut victories is large for group morale.
“I feel our mentality was a bit bit down currently,” Camara mentioned. “We have managed to select up some wins right here and there, however we’re looking for a constant win charge.”
The Blazers will then play Monday at 4 p.m. towards the Detroit Pistons (17-18).
–Aaron Fentress | [email protected] | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Fb)
