Wednesday night featured a pair of NBA superstars returning to their former places of residence, although one turned out far greater than the other. The Morning Dunk has got you covered with all of the news, highlights, and betting odds from a chaotic evening.
Lillard's Bucks Come Up Short In Rip City
Damian Lillard's first game back in Portland since being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks probably played out better in his head than it did in reality.
Damian Lillard receives an ovation from Rip City in his return to Portland ❤️👏
— NBA (@NBA) February 1, 2024
Trail Blazers-Bucks | LIVE on ESPN pic.twitter.com/HFjFhcRcS9
The Bucks fell to 0-2 in the Doc Rivers era by losing to the Trail Blazers at the Moda Center, 119-116. Lillard had 25 points, six rebounds, and seven assists in 40 minutes of action, while Portland was led by Anfernee Simon's 24 points and clutch bucket with 17.1 seconds left to put his side up by one.
Anfernee Simons iced the game in Portland with this CLUTCH shot 🥶 #PhantomCam pic.twitter.com/FFV0Iw3hv9
— NBA (@NBA) February 1, 2024
Oddsmakers really liked the Bucks' chances entering this matchup, making them the 10-point favorites. Milwaukee has now failed to cover the spread in 13 of its last 16 games.
Durant Terrorizes Nets In Brooklyn Return
Unlike Lillard in Portland, Kevin Durant's return to Brooklyn on Wednesday went just a little more smoothly.
In his first game in the city in 395 days, Durant scored a game-high 33 points and dished out eight assists to lead the Phoenix Suns past the Nets with a convincing 136-120 victory at the Barclays Center.
Despite requesting not to have one, the Nets were still gracious enough to put together a tribute video for the returning All-Star.
Kevin Durant Official Brooklyn Nets Tribute video #Netsworld pic.twitter.com/UztcM8LJSz
— NetsKingdom 👑🗽 (@NetsKingdomAJ) February 1, 2024
The win was Phoenix's second in a row after dropping two straight, improving its overall record to 28-20 SU while maintaining the sixth seed in the Western Conference.
Heat End Losing Streak By Defeating Kings
It's about time, Miami.
The Heat snapped their seven-game losing streak at the Kaseya Center by fending off the visiting Sacramento Kings, winning 115-106.
Jimmy Butler scored 31 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and handed out six assists for Miami, while new guard Terry Rozier had 10 assists across 30 minutes.
“We were legit having fun again which is what I said had to happen if we wanted to win…”
— jeremy chandler taché (@jeremytache) February 1, 2024
Always great chatting with Jimmy Butler after Heat Ws pic.twitter.com/o4sZxbkdd5
Despite the losing skid, Miami was still favored by 1.5 points to win the game. The Heat covered the spread for the first time in eight games after going 0-7 ATS during the streak.
