The Blazers are functionally in the same place as before the trade — hoping lottery luck can save them from mediocrity

Trail Blazers' Camara #33 is helped up by teammates Donovan Clingan #23 and Shaedon Sharpe #17 of the Portland Trail Blazers after drawing a foul during the third quarter of a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Moda Center on January 28, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Rio Giancarlo/Getty Images) Getty Images

Deni Avdija is proving to be a game-changer for the Portland Trail Blazers, and their offseason trade for him looks like a massive win.

Deni Avdija has gradually become the standout Trail Blazer on Portland’s roster. Due to his impressive performances, the versatile forward has become a Blazers building block and a vital part of their rebuilding process.

The Portland Trail Blazers held the upper hand throughout the second half on their way to a 125-112 home win over the Milwaukee Bucks and their former teammate.

For the second straight year, the Portland Trail Blazers spoiled Damian Lillard’s homecoming. Five Portland players scored in double figures as the Blazers defeated the Milwaukee Bucks by a score of 125-112 on Monday night at the Moda Center.

Blazers beat Bucks 125-112, keeping Damian Lillard winless in Portland. Avdija leads with 30 pts in dominant effort.

Here are my best free NBA player props for Tuesday, January 28. Amen Thompson is red hot and led the Houston Rockets to a win against Boston last night by logging 33 points and nine rebounds. The 21-year-old forward was drafted with the fourth overall pick in the 2023 draft, and he's starting to play up to that vast potential.