Bucks vs Trail Blazers NBA Analysis, Odds, and Best Bet (1/28)

The Bucks are on a Western Conference road trip and face ‘Pesky Portland’ on Tuesday night NBA action. One of the greatest talents of this generation comes in for a rare Pacific Northwest visit. This young Portland team is still rebuilding after trading Damian Lillard to the visitors in 2023. A contender versus a rebuilder, despite the dichotomy of these teams trajectories, this should be a good game of basketball. Last time these two teams suited up? ‘Pesky Portland’ stole a win.

Game Information

• Moda Center Portland, OR
• Milwaukee Bucks (26-18) visit the Portland Trail Blazers (17-29)
• Last Matchup: January 4th, 2025 POR won 105-102

Milwaukee Bucks @ Portland Trail Blazers

The Bucks have been inconsistent this year even though Giannis has looked like an MVP candidate. This Western Conference swing started for them on Saturday where the Clippers won by ten then last night they let the Utah Jazz hang around. Lillard struggled to shoot it from deep in Los Angeles and they keyed in on him on defence. Norman Powell and James Harden both had All-Star level performances. Last night, Utah saw multiple guards score in double figures, and most of the damage was done on drives.

At BettingNews we may call them ‘Pesky Portland’ but Chauncey Billups rotations have been pretty pesky too. Deni Avdija should probably be playing more, Scoot and Sharpe are in and out as starters, and the front court is often injured. Billups is a tank commander developing young players while pretending not to want lose. And yet, their raw talent and several veterans can steal victories. Betting the Blazers has been fun but tough. Portland’s last game was Sunday against the Thunder which resulted in a loss. However, it has to be noted that prior to that game they had won a season-high four straight.

The NBA MVP Race: Giannis wants in!

It has become consensus that either Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Nikola Jokic will be the NBA MVP. SGA just dropped 35 on this Portland team. The Bucks have a former MVP that I am sure wants to be included in the conversation. He has an opportunity to play a team that has no way to slow him down. Portlands bigs will likely have to be deployed against Lopez. Giannis should see a healthy dose of Deni and Jerami Grant. This is a game where Giannis Antetokounmpo could put together statline that MVP voters could take notice of.

Giannis with a freaky stat line tonight.

35 PTS | 18 REB | 7 AST | 2 STL | 70% FG pic.twitter.com/GgVoUJSiuq

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) January 28, 2025

NBA Game Analysis

The Milwaukee Bucks will likely come into this game with the pedigree they showed when they won the NBA Emirates Cup. If they lock in and play their game then both their stars should feast while their shooters enjoy space. Exactly what happened last night verses the Jazz. Giannis scores more points in the paint than anyone since Shaq.

Teams shoot a high percentage against Portland so role players will see extra daylight if Dame and Giannis can penetrate the paint. The former of which has yet to have a big game in his former home or against the team. Lillard is shooting 28% from three in three games against Portland since being traded away. It might be time for him to finally have a big game against his former team. Last night against Utah he was great.

Big game from Dame.

35 PTS | 8 AST | 5 REB | 4 3PM | 64% FG pic.twitter.com/QPrBeRBqCd

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) January 28, 2025

Portland allows NBA teams to shoot 37.3% (24th) from three and they are 26th in second chance points (14.9 per game). The Bucks could unleash their shooters as Giannis attacks the paint. He has been great at finding open teammates this season showing chemistry with the trio of Prince, Trent Jr. and Green. Giannis and Lillard are clicking as a duo like never before as well and both are serious about winning championship this season.

GIANNIS & DAME COMBINE FOR 70 PTS 😤

Giannis: 35 PTS (69.6 FG%) | 18 REB | 7 AST
Lillard: 35 PTS (63.6 FG%) | 8 AST | 5 REB

It’s the 6th time this year they’ve both scored 30+ PTS, the most by any duo in the league! pic.twitter.com/KON4ofkCCP

— NBA (@NBA) January 28, 2025

The Pesky Portland Trail Blazers

three highest max vert dunks this season https://t.co/tbFboP4EUL pic.twitter.com/sf9TNingWP

— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) January 26, 2025

The Bucks can be beat. Portland has the capacity to do so. The Bucks play at the 9th fastest pace in the league out of necessity and this favours the Blazers. They have athletic guards who can also stretch out to beyond the arc. Damian Lillard might have a long night chasing around much younger players. The Bucks are great on the defensive glass but Portland is 5th in offensive rebounds. If they can overcome the Bucks on the glass then their scorers may be able to do enough to keep them in this one.

Portland may have advantages with a chance of contender complacency, travel, and home court advantage. Milwaukee should have been able to rest Dame and Giannis but a run lead by Jordan Clarkson forced them to play in the fourth. Furthermore, Portland’s last game against the contending Thunder had several keynote performances from burgeoning young stars; Deni Avdijva, Scoot Henderson, and Toumani Camara.

✨ ScOooOoot ✨

▫️ 25 PTS (14 in the 4th)
▫️ 5 3PM
▫️ 5 REB pic.twitter.com/lqUB78p3z2

— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) January 27, 2025

NBA Best Bet: Toumani Camara o7.5 Assists & Rebounds (-120)

Toumani Camara is coming off the best game of his very young career against a title contending team. The rookie drafted from Dayton has exceeded 7.5 R/A in 11 straight games vs. bottom 10 teams for rebounds allowed. He’s pole vaulting this line averaging 9.6 R/A in said matchups. He just went 5-5 from three but scoring is not his primary function in Portland. He is primarily a Swiss army knife and that is exactly what he will need to be against a Bucks team trying to avenge a recent loss.

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