Trail Blazers at Bucks
THE STORY: Both the Portland Trail Blazers and Milwaukee Bucks are on the outside of the playoff chase as they prepare to meet Saturday night in Milwaukee. The Bucks seek a fourth consecutive win after downing Charlotte 95-90 Friday and moving one game behind idle New York for the final playoff berth in the East. Portland earned a 99-97 victory in overtime at Dallas on Friday as LaMarcus Aldridge sank a buzzer-beater. Raymond Felton scored a season-high 30 points as Portland moved 3½ games behind Houston and Denver.
TV: 8:30 ET, CSN Northwest (Trail Blazers), FS Wisconsin (Bucks)
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (27-29): Portland showed some moxie on the road Friday, outscoring the Mavericks 30-10 in the third quarter after trailing by 12 at halftime. Aldridge, who had 25 points and 12 rebounds, has averaged 24.5 points and 9.3 rebounds in his last six games. “LaMarcus is our All-Star,” Portland interim coach Kaleb Canales said. “We were going to LaMarcus. (On Friday), a big-time player, big-time shot.” Guard Elliot Williams (right shoulder) will not play for the Blazers.
ABOUT THE BUCKS (27-28): Monta Ellis had 25 points in one of his better games with the Bucks. Ellis, who joined the Bucks via a trade-deadline deal with Golden State, has struggled with his new team. In 11 games with Milwaukee, he is averaging 15.8 points – 6.1 less than his average in 37 games with the Warriors – and is shooting 42.1 percent from the field and 20 percent from 3-point range. Forwards Drew Gooden (back), Carlos Delfino (groin) are day-to-day.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Bucks' victory on March 20 ended Portland's three-game win streak against them. The Blazers had won eight of the previous nine meetings.
2. Milwaukee had a 27-12 advantage in points off turnovers against Charlotte.
3. Portland has won back-to-back games for the first time since Jan. 23-24.