Deni Avdija delivered a career-best performance Wednesday night, leading the Portland Trail Blazers to a 115-99 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. Avdija exploded for 31 points, 16 rebounds, and eight assists, powering the Blazers to their third straight win.
Anfernee Simons chipped in with 22 points as Portland took control early, building a 21-point lead in the third quarter and never looking back.
Desmond Bane paced Memphis with 20 points, but the Grizzlies struggled to keep up. Memphis made a late push, trimming the deficit to 96-89 heading into the fourth quarter. However, Avdija’s clutch three-pointer helped Portland regain momentum and put the game out of reach.
Playoff Push Heats Up
With the win, the Trail Blazers (31-39) moved within two games of the final play-in tournament spot in the Western Conference. The Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns currently hold the 10th spot with identical 33-37 records.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies remain in the thick of the playoff hunt but took a step back in their battle for home-court advantage. Memphis is now one game behind the Denver Nuggets for fourth place in the West.
NCAA Championship Rematch
The game also featured a much-anticipated rookie showdown between Memphis center Zach Edey and Portland’s Donovan Clingan—two big men who clashed in last year’s NCAA championship game.
Edey, battling foul trouble, was limited to just 10 minutes of action. Clingan, on the other hand, made his presence felt with seven points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks in 26 minutes.
The Grizzlies’ comeback attempt hit a roadblock in the fourth quarter when star forward Jaren Jackson Jr. was called for an offensive foul and then assessed a technical for arguing with officials. That sequence proved costly, as Memphis never got within 10 points for the rest of the game.
Dominating the Glass
One of the biggest factors in Portland’s victory was its dominance on the boards. The Blazers outrebounded the Grizzlies 65-40, giving them second-chance opportunities and controlling the pace throughout the game.
UP Next
Memphis heads to Los Angeles for a matchup against the Clippers on Thursday night, while Portland will host the Denver Nuggets in another crucial game for their playoff hopes.
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