Trail Blazers at Bucks
CJ McCollum scored a season-high 40 points against Milwaukee earlier this month and the Portland Trail Blazers guard looks for another strong outing against the host Bucks on Wednesday. McCollum made 17-of-26 shots, including five 3-pointers, as Portland posted a 118-103 home victory on Nov. 6.
McCollum had another strong effort on Tuesday when he made five 3-pointers and scored 31 points as the Trail Blazers posted a 118-114 road victory over the New York Knicks. Portland boasts the best record in the Western Conference after the win and stands 2-2 on a six-game road trip. The Bucks look to continue their strong start that has seen them post the second-best record in the NBA through 16 games. Milwaukee recovered from a 17-point, first-half deficit on Monday to register a 104-98 home victory over the Denver Nuggets.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCS Northwest (Portland), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (12-5): McCollum and star sidekick Damian Lillard (29 points) combined for 60 points against the Knicks and McCollum wasn't lacking for confidence after a 13-of-23 shooting effort. "I just tried to be aggressive," McCollum said in a postgame television interview. "I hit some 3s and it felt good. Once I get a few shots in, it feels like I'm throwing the ball into the ocean." Lillard is also playing superbly and is averaging 29 points over the past four games, including a 40-point outing against the Washington Wizards on Sunday.
ABOUT THE BUCKS (12-4): Star small forward Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded 29 points and 13 rebounds in the victory over Denver to register his 10th double-double of the season. Antetokounmpo has scored more than 20 points in each of his past 10 contests and is averaging 25.9 points during the stretch. "We've got to do a better job to try to set the tone," Antetokounmpo told reporters of his club needing to overcome the hefty deficit. "I think we did a better job this game, but we can do a lot better. I think our talent saves us. I feel like we are so talented that even when we are down 10, down 15, we can always get back into the game."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Bucks have won their past four home games versus the Trail Blazers.
2. Milwaukee is 8-1 at home, equaling its best nine-game home start since the 1990-91 campaign.
3. Portland C Jusuf Nurkic had 13 points and 11 rebounds against New York for his fifth straight double-double.