In a thrilling matchup on Thursday night, the Portland Trail Blazers narrowly defeated the Sacramento Kings 134-133, thanks to a clutch performance from Deni Avdija. The guard scored two crucial free throws with just 1.5 seconds remaining in overtime, capping off a remarkable game where he totaled 35 points.
The contest was a nail-biter, highlighted by DeMar DeRozan’s late-game heroics, where he hit a jumper with four seconds left to give the Kings a 133-132 lead. With no timeouts left, the Blazers swiftly advanced the ball, leading to Avdija being fouled by Russell Westbrook, setting the stage for the decisive free throws. DeRozan was phenomenal throughout, scoring 33 points, with 22 of those coming in the crucial fourth quarter and overtime periods.
Avdija’s impressive performance included shooting 12 out of 19 from the field and converting 10 of his 12 free throw attempts, along with contributing five assists. Shaedon Sharpe also made a significant impact for Portland, scoring 26 points and hitting 4 of 6 from beyond the arc. Jerami Grant added 20 points, while Donovan Clingan and Toumani Camara supported the effort with 19 and 17 points, respectively.
On the other side, Sacramento’s Maxime Raynaud shone brightly with a career-high 29 points, while Westbrook filled the stat sheet with 20 points and 10 assists, shooting an efficient 8 of 11 from the field. The two teams will clash again on Saturday night in Sacramento, promising another exciting chapter in this budding rivalry.
This high-scoring encounter not only showcased the talent of both teams but also emphasized the intense competition in the NBA, leaving fans eager for their next meeting.