MILWAUKEE BUCKS

Pre-game report: Kidd not hoping for shootout with Blazers

Charles F. Gardner
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) is defended by Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) during the third quarter of the game at United Center.

Portland's high-powered backcourt is in town Wednesday night as the Trail Blazers face the Bucks, who are hoping to rebound after a narrow loss to San Antonio on Monday night.

Damian Lillard is averaging 27.9 points and CJ McCollum is at 22.0 per game, and Lillard is coming off a 30-point game in the Blazers' two-point win over Chicago on Monday.

"Damian is one of the top guards in the world," Bucks coach Jason Kidd said. "He puts a lot of pressure on the defense, and McCollum does the same thing. You've got to be worried about Terry Stotts, one of the best coaches in this league. They score a lot of points."

Portland ranks fifth in the league in scoring, averaging 110.3 points, but the Blazers also give up points. They are 28th in points allowed (112.4 per game) and 30th in defensive efficiency (points per 100 possessions, 112.6).

"We've got to play at our pace if we want any chance of winning, and we can't get in a shootout with them," Kidd said. "We want to score, but we don't want to get into a situation where they make a three and now it's our turn to make a three. We'll lose that game.

"Our job is to attack, take open shots and try to score when we're in the paint, take care of the ball and make them work on the defensive end."

Stotts, the former Bucks coach, has found success in Portland. He has led them to a 194-156 record in four-plus seasons and now is the fourth-winningest coach in franchise history.

"I'd like to think we're playing a little better defense," Stotts said. "We got back home and won three out of four, so that helped. It's a long season.

"We had a tough stretch where we weren't defending very well and teams were scoring. We had some practice days. I think that kind of helped us get back on track as well."

Stotts said he has seen plenty of improvement from Bucks guard-forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who turned 22 on Tuesday.

"They're giving him a lot of opportunities to make plays, both scoring and passing," Stotts said. "I'm not really one to compare players to other players in the league, past or present.

"But he's unique in what he can do."

Stotts said 6-foot-9 Maurice Harkless would defend Antetokounmpo but also would get help from others.

"With his length, and he's playing point guard at times, it's tough to put Dame (Lillard) or CJ on him," Stotts said. "You'll see different players guard him. The league has come down to a lot of switching.

"The last possession against San Antonio, La Marcus (Aldridge) switched on to him. I think everybody has to be ready to guard him at some point in the game."