Last week the NBA announced the All-star starters for each conference. In the east, Jalen Brunson and Donovan Mitchell were the two starters at guard, and Jayson Tatum, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Karl Anthony-Towns were the three frontcourt starters.

In all three matchups, Simons outplayed the man who essentially raised him on the court during their five seasons together in Rip City. Coincidence? Yes, according to Simons, who scored

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and guard Damian Lillard are seen during their game against the Chicago Bulls at Fiserv Forum on Oct. 14, 2024. “Our chemistry has gotten better,” Antetokounmpo said. “I think, with time, we’re just going to keep on getting better.”

Unsurprisingly, the Milwaukee Bucks will not be dealing Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard before the Feb. 6 trade deadline. ESPN's Bobby Marks

Cade Cunningham has a chance at the Detroit Pistons' first All-Star appearance since 2019. Here's how his season compares with top guards in the East.

Back-to-back stellar performances from Damian Lillard show the Milwaukee Bucks have enough to compete for an NBA title.

Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the basket on Anfernee Simons #1 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half of the game at Fiserv Forum on January 04, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) Getty Images

The trade would send Khris Middleton, Bobby Portis, MarJon Beauchamp, and a 2031 first-round pick (via Phoenix) to Miami and Jimmy Butler and Delon Wright to Phoenix. Butler has been linked to the Bucks as a possible trade candidate, though there's confusion about his desire to join the franchise.

Portland faces Milwaukee in out-of-conference play. The teams square off Tuesday for the first time this season.

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

Damian Lillard's second trip back to Portland is nowhere near as big a deal as his first. After Lillard made a much-anticipated return last season, the buzz is much lighter this time as he and the Milwaukee Bucks visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night.