Bobby Portis has stepped up his scoring since the All-Star break.
The Milwaukee Bucks took down the Indiana Pacers on Sunday 134-123 and Bobby Portis was a huge part of it, scoring 29 points off the bench while shooting 11-21 from the field and 6-11 from three point range.
Portis has been on a tear since coming back from the All-Star break. He's averaged 15.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game since the All-Star break and even if he wasn't playing in the All-Star game itself, Portis credit's his involvement in a different event over the course of the weekend for his newfound skills.
"I've been feeling good after the break, for real," Portis said (via Bucks). "Just shooting the ball with confidence. I think shooting in the three point contests was a different pressure than shooting in the NBA, which is funny... That was like the most pressure I've felt, so now when I shoot the ball in the game it's kind of like second nature."
Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) reacts after a three-pointer against the Atlanta Hawks in the first quarter at State Farm Arena. Brett Davis-Imagn ImagesHow Portis Has Improved From Three
Portis has always been a dependable three point shooter, evidenced by the fact that he was in the three point contest at all, but this season as a whole he's reached a new gear beyond the arc.
He's averaging 46.3% from three point range while attempting 4.4 triples per game, both of which are his second-highest career marks, only behind his 2021-22 season, which stands as the only season of his career where Portis started the majority of games that he appeared in.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) dribbles the basketball as Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. (11) defends during the second quarter at Kaseya Center. Sam Navarro-Imagn ImagesThe fact that Portis is nearly matching both of those marks in a season where he's been back to operating almost entirely from the bench is great news for a Bucks' team that has been searching for offense for much of the season.
The Bucks Need Portis
Even if this season has mostly amounted to a wash for the Bucks, there are signs that a brighter future ahead ands even though Portis is well established with the Bucks at this point, he can continue to be a veteran spark plug coming off the bench and provide a new wave of offense on rotations.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) takes a shot against Indiana Pacers forward Kobe Brown (24) in the fourth quarter at Fiserv Forum. Benny Sieu-Imagn ImagesEspecially in today's NBA, having more strength from three point range is always a good thing and with Portis unlocking this new gear, it makes Milwaukee a much more versatile team when it comes to scoring.
The Bucks will need Portis more than ever as they look to readjust their course as a franchise in the future and the more that he can develop his skills, the better.
Maybe Portis should be in the three point contest every year if it does this much for his confidence and production.