The Milwaukee Bucks knew only too well that they would have their hands full against the rugged Portland Trail Blazers Saturday night at the Bradley Center.

The Trail Blazers, under first-year coach Maurice Cheeks, came into the game riding an eight-game winning streak and were playing some of the best basketball in the National Basketball Association.

"All of them are kind of into it, which is a compliment to Mo in a very subtle way," Bucks coach George Karl said before the game. "That doesn't happen in the league very often when you have your whole team playing at a big-time level."

The Bucks gave the Trail Blazers all they could handle, but the Portland express kept right on rolling as it overcame a 94-87 Bucks' lead with 3:05 left in regulation - the biggest lead of the game by either team - to score a heart-stopping 104-103 overtime victory. Portland guard Damon Stoudamire provided the winner by hitting a wide-open three-point basket with two-tenths of a second left.