A Tough Night for Deni Avdija as Portland Falls to Memphis 119-96
Game Overview
Portland Trail Blazers faced a challenging defeat against the Memphis Grizzlies, losing 119-96 in a high-stakes game characterized by intense emotions and fierce competition. Israeli player Deni Avdija contributed 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists but was unable to prevent his team from succumbing to a significant deficit during the matchup.
Game Details
The game began on a rough note for the Trail Blazers as they struggled against the Grizzlies, who played without star player Ja Morant due to injury. Memphis established an early advantage, leading 14-36 and later extending it to 23-48 by the second quarter. Despite the uphill battle, Avdija showed resilience, managing crucial plays that narrowed the gap by the end of the first half, which concluded with a 20-point difference.
Avdija’s Performance
Avdija’s performance was somewhat off from his usual standards. He completed the game shooting 7 of 14 from the field, hitting 2 of 4 from three-point range, and making 1 of 3 from the free-throw line. Alongside his scoring, he recorded 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and displayed defensive prowess with 3 steals and 1 block, though he also had 5 turnovers. His plus-minus rating was a disappointing -17.
Key Moments
The highlight of the matchup occurred in the third quarter when Avdija led a scoring spree that cut the deficit to 67-62. However, the Grizzlies quickly recovered, launching an 11-0 run that reasserted their dominance. During the game, Avdija became visibly frustrated over a non-call that he believed warranted a foul, leading to a confrontation with Morant. Following a physical play, Avdija received a technical foul, marking an atypical moment in the usually composed player’s season.
Referees and Team Dynamics
The officiating during the game drew criticism from both Avdija and his teammates, including Tiago Splitter, for what they deemed inconsistent calls. As the game progressed, the Trail Blazers struggled to maintain possession, ending the night with more turnovers (25) than assists (21).
Final Statistics and Standouts
On the opposing side, Santi Aldama was a standout performer with 22 points, while Jalen Wells and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope each scored 16 points. Cedric Quad, the 11th pick from the previous draft who switched teams in a trade, added 11 points for Memphis. For Portland, Jeremy Grant led scoring efforts with 21 points, as Shaden Sharpe and Tumaini Kamara contributed 17 and 13 points, respectively.
What’s Next for Avdija and the Trail Blazers
Deni Avdija missed the opportunity to make history as the first player in Portland’s franchise history to record at least 25 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in six consecutive games. He will look to bounce back in the upcoming game against the New Orleans Pelicans, scheduled for early Saturday.
In the wake of this intense defeat, both Avdija and the Trail Blazers will aim to refocus and strategize ahead of their next contest.