PORTLAND, Oregon -- The Portland Trail Blazers feel they have been overlooked again as usual by prognosticators picking the NBA's Western Conference race. They'll have an early-season opportunity to display their prowess against a contender from the East when the Milwaukee Bucks visit for a Tuesday night date at Moda Center.
The Bucks (8-1), fresh off a 144-109 rout of Sacramento at home on Sunday, begin a difficult four-game road trip against the Blazers, who are mindful they will be facing a Most Valuable Player candidate in Milwaukee forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.
"The Bucks have been playing at a very high level, and he is their best player, with size and agility and a lot of ability," said Portland forward Al-Farouq Aminu, the likely choice to begin the game defending Antetokounmpo.