Damian Lillard made a triumphant NBA pre-season debut for the Milwaukee Bucks, combining nicely with Giannis Antetokounmpo in a 108-97 street victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Lillard, a seven-time All-Star guard traded from Portland to the Bucks final month, scored 14 factors with three steals, three assists and two rebounds in 22 minutes on the courtroom.
The 33-year-old Tokyo Olympic gold medallist sank 3-of-10 photographs from the ground, 2-of-7 from 3-point vary, and all six of his free throws.
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“I felt nice. It’s at all times a bit of little bit of rust to start with however the recreation was quite simple,” Lillard mentioned.
“It was a matter of getting my wind up, simply entering into the rhythm. They got here out blitzing me to start with so it woke me up. It was simply good to be again out on the ground.”
Greek famous person heart Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 16 factors and eight rebounds in simply over quarter-hour on the courtroom and blended nicely with new teammate Lillard within the first recreation pairing of two of the NBA’s high 5 scorers from final season, every netting greater than 31 factors a recreation.
“I’ve been on the ground with them an honest quantity during the last two weeks so I really feel comfy,” mentioned Lillard of working together with his new teammates.
“I feel my recreation enhances the fellows very well so it has been seamless. It hasn’t been laborious in any respect. Now it’s only a matter of having the ability to play different groups and getting used to one another and the way we’re going to function on the market.”
Antetokounnmpo was thrilled with the quantity of area he had, significantly after Lillard was double-teamed from the opening tip.
“I’ve by no means seen somebody double teamed on the first play of the sport. It was a shock. It’s a preseason recreation. Not a playoff recreation, not a daily season recreation, not an in-season match recreation… It’s insane,” he mentioned.
The Lakers, taking part in with out famous person LeBron James, had been led by 16 factors and 7 rebounds from Anthony Davis.
Lillard was happy that he was capable of play a snug and acquainted recreation regardless of new teammates and restricted minutes.
“I made the identical performs I at all times make,” he mentioned. “I loosen up the defence. I make the suitable performs then I discover my spots and I get aggressive in moments all through the sport. That’s what I did tonight.
“Shorter minutes. First recreation out right here. I felt good. We’ll simply hold constructing on that.”
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It has helped that lots of the Bucks’ offensive schemes had been the identical as Milwaukee assistant coach Terry Stotts used when he was the top coach at Portland from 2012-2021 when Lillard performed for the Path Blazers.
“Plenty of what we do offensively is what I did with him for 9 years so it has been fairly easy so far as that adjustment,” Lillard mentioned.
Lillard mentioned his objective within the run-up to the Bucks’ 2023-24 season opener on October 26 at house in opposition to Philadelphia is regular enchancment.
“Simply to maintain constructing,” Lillard mentioned. “I feel it’s only one step at a time, benefit from the course of and are available and simply hold constructing and hold constructing all through the season. That’s all we are able to management.”
Lillard and Antetokounmpo are constructing a chemistry that Milwaukee followers hope can produce a second NBA crown in 4 seasons.
“It has been very stable,” Lillard mentioned of his bond with the Bucks’ huge man. “It has been easy. I don’t suppose I’ve, and I don’t suppose he has both, gone into it overly making an attempt to piece every little thing collectively.
“I feel our personalities mesh nicely. Our kinds of play mesh nicely. Every thing else has simply occurred organically in time and we’ve obtained to permit that area to occur.”
NBA SCORES
Thunder 115, Hornets 117
Grizzlies 124, Warmth 132
Cairns Taipans 93, Raptors 134
Bucks 108, Lakers 97
Bulls 102, Nuggets 116
Warriors 121, Kings 115 (OT)