"Just bringing heart" – Bobby Portis Jr. on helping the Bucks propel a late rally win over the Blazers

The 'Mayor of Milwaukee' contributed key buckets down the stretch in the Bucks' successful comeback against the Blazers.

Matthew Dugandzic | Nov 27, 2023

In this story:

Milwaukee Bucks

While Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard carried the heavier load, Bobby Portis still emerged as the Milwaukee Bucks' unsung hero in their dramatic comeback win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Bucks managed to gradually trim the Blazers' lead, which reached as high as 26 in the third frame upon entering the final quarter. A little more push was needed down the stretch, but Portis provided a hefty contribution in Milwaukee's late rally that saw them flipping the entire script and erasing Portland's 15-point lead in the fourth to take the 108-102 weekend victory.

Without Portis' heroics – courtesy of his igniting back-to-back treys in the last frame – the Bucks wouldn't be able to fulfill the largest comeback in the NBA so far this season.

Heart and 110% Effort

In the postgame, Portis was asked how he was able to pull off such a marvelous display to help the Bucks complete its come-from-behind efforts against the Blazers.

As such, he just provided the answer in a typical Bobby manner.

"Just bringing heart," Portis said after ending the night with 12 points and eight boards. "I had nothing going on for me. I was missing layups. Missing shots I normally make. But one thing I always rely on is effort, whether I'm making shots or missing, I give my all on a daily basis. When I step out there, I'm 110% in. That's one thing nobody can take from me, no matter what. I play hard, I play with all heart."

Staying as one

About their mentality of staying resilient, when adversities hit and arrive, Portis can only credit the Bucks' great culture of promoting a collective positive attitude and accountability.

Without that sense of togetherness and accountability, Milwaukee won't be pegged as a title contender. With that, Portis is proud of his team's resonating contribution that comes from everyone, and this recent performance against Portland serves as solid proof of their unbreakable bond as one.

"Obviously, if you're on a winning team or just a team in general, it takes all guys, takes the whole [team]. Even the guys that that might not play. When I've came here, they've already had a culture, a stepping stone already. Guys on the bench uplift the guys that are playing. Guys that come off the court dap each other up and say 'Keep going' whenever you making shots or missing. We're always there for one another," Bobby concluded.

Giannis Antetokounmpo sets franchise record in Milwaukee’s comeback win vs. the Portland Trail Blazers

Published Nov 27, 2023

MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.