ANFERNEE Simons hit the go-ahead jumper and scored 24 points as the Blazers spoiled Damian Lillard’s homecoming to Portland with a 119-116 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night (Thursday in Manila).
Lillard played 11 seasons with the Trail Blazers before seeking a trade in the offseason and eventually being sent to the Bucks.
Simons put the Trail Blazers ahead with a floater with 17.6 seconds left and Jerami Grant added two free throws with 4.6 seconds to go as Portland won its second straight game.
Deandre Ayton had 20 points and 11 rebounds for the Trail Blazers. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 27 points and eight rebounds, Lillard had 25 points and seven assists and Khris Middleton had 21 points and eight assists for the Bucks, who have lost three of their past four games.
In the other games, it was the Cavs 128, Pistons 121; Bulls 117, Hornets 110; Heat 115, Kings 106; Thunder 105, Nuggets 100; Magic 108, Spurs 98; Wolves 121, Mavs 87; and Pelicans 110, Rockets 99.
Suns 136, Nets 120
Kevin Durant heard some cheers in pregame introductions and scored 33 points in his return to Brooklyn as Phoenix surged ahead in the third quarter and went on to win in New York.
Durant played his last game for the Nets on Jan. 8, 2023, before requesting a trade to the Suns and getting his wish at last season’s trade deadline. He complemented his point total with eight assists, five rebounds and two blocks.
Jusuf Nurkic added 28 points and 11 boards and Devin Booker contributed 22 points and eight assists for the Suns. Cam Thomas scored 25 points and Mikal Bridges had 21 for the Nets, who played without Ben Simmons (bruised left knee).
Clippers 125, Wizards 109
Kawhi Leonard recorded 31 points and nine rebounds before sitting out the fourth quarter as visiting Los Angeles dumped Washington.
Leonard added four assists and four steals for the Clippers, who overcame the absence of Paul George (left groin soreness) to post their 23rd win in the past 28 games. James Harden collected 25 points, nine rebounds, five assists and four blocks.
Washington’s Kyle Kuzma scored 23 of his 27 points in the first half. Rookie Bilal Coulibaly scored 19 points and Corey Kispert added 16 off the bench.
