PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 23 (UPI) -- Gary Payton's debut with his new team was a successful one as he teamed with Sam Cassell to lead a fourth-quarter rally that gave the Milwaukee Bucks a 93-90 victory Saturday night over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Prior to Thursday's trading deadline, Payton came over in a five-player deal from Seattle, where he had spent his first 12-plus seasons. Playing his 1,000th career game and first with Milwaukee, the perennial All-Star was in the starting backcourt alongside Cassell.
There had been speculation that the Bucks would bench Cassell in favor of Payton at point guard. But both players ran the offense at times and played off the ball at times.
The two teamed up to lead an 18-5 charge over the final seven minutes. During that stretch, Cassell scored 10 points, while Payton set up three baskets, made a 3-pointer and smothered Derek Anderson's shot in the final seconds.
Payton had 22 points and nine assists and Cassell added 16 points and eight assists for the Bucks, who snapped a four-game losing streak and swept the season series from the Trail Blazers.
It was the second fourth-quarter collapse in as many nights for Portland, which also gave away a late lead in Friday's road loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
