Giannis Antetokounmpo subtly tapped in Bobby Portis’ wayward shot with only 18.1 seconds remaining to secure the decisive points, allowing the Milwaukee Bucks to overcome the visiting Portland Trail Blazers 108-102 on Sunday afternoon in Damian Lillard’s inaugural encounter with his former team.

Lillard amassed 31 points but faltered on a 3-pointer with 24 seconds left and the score level at 102-all. The ball reached Portis, who could not convert a follow-up shot, but Antetokounmpo was there to tip the go-ahead score.

After a review resulting in a reversal of an Antetokounmpo foul that set up the All-Star’s rejection of Malcolm Brogdon’s potential game-tying 6-footer with 14.1 seconds remaining, Lillard put the finishing touches on his exceptional performance by sinking four crucial free throws, marking his sixth 30-point game of the season.

This victory marked Milwaukee’s seven wins in its last eight games, while Portland suffered its ninth loss in the last ten matches. Antetokounmpo emerged as the leading scorer and rebounder of the game with 33 points and 16 rebounds for the Bucks, who outperformed the visitors with a 52-40 rebounding advantage.

Malik Beasley contributed 14 points, Portis added 12, and Brook Lopez tallied 10. This matchup marked the first time since Portland terminated an 11-year association with Lillard, subsequently trading him to the Bucks in the offseason as part of a three-team deal that brought Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, and Toumani Camara to the Trail Blazers, along with a 2029 first-round pick.

In turn, Portland traded Holiday to the Boston Celtics for Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams, and 2024 and 2029 first-round picks. The two teams are scheduled to face each other again on Jan. 31 in Portland, a homecoming for Lillard. Brogdon recorded a double-double with 18 points and a game-high 12 assists, while Ayton notched 14 points and a team-high 13 rebounds for the Trail Blazers, who led by as many as 15 points in the fourth quarter and maintained a 95-82 advantage with 8 minutes remaining before the Bucks eventually caught up.

Portis scored eight consecutive points, including two 3-pointers, as part of a 20-4 surge that saw Milwaukee take a 102-99 lead with 2:13 left, before a 3-pointer by Jerami Grant led to the final tie of the game and set the stage for a tense finish.

Grant finished with a team-high 22 points for the Trail Blazers, who were commencing a five-game trip. Shaedon Sharpe contributed 17 points and Scoot Henderson added 13.