Avdija Scores 41 as Trail Blazers Upset Suns in NBA Play-In
Deni Avdija delivered a career-defining performance with 41 points, leading the Portland Trail Blazers to a stunning 114-110 victory over the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Western Conference play-in tournament. The win ended Portland's four-year playoff drought, securing them the seventh seed and a first-round matchup against the San Antonio Spurs. Avdija scored 14 points in the fourth quarter, capping the comeback with a crucial three-point play with 16.1 seconds remaining. Despite Jordan Goodwin giving Phoenix a brief lead late in the game, Jerami Grant sealed the victory with a dunk off a steal in the final seconds. For the Suns, Jalen Green scored 35 points and Devin Booker added 22, but they failed to close out the game. Phoenix will have another opportunity to reach the playoffs by facing the winner of the Golden State Warriors versus Los Angeles Clippers game. In other play-in action, the Charlotte Hornets defeated the Miami Heat in overtime, driven by LaMelo Ball's 30 points, advancing to face the winner of the Suns' next contest.
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Avdija Scores 41 as Trail Blazers Upset Suns in NBA Play-In
Deni Avdija delivered a career-defining performance with 41 points, leading the Portland Trail Blazers to a stunning 114-110 victory over the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Western Conference play-in tournament. The win ended Portland's four-year playoff drought, securing them the seventh seed and a first-round matchup against the San Antonio Spurs. Avdija scored 14 points in the fourth quarter, capping the comeback with a crucial three-point play with 16.1 seconds remaining. Despite Jordan Goodwin giving Phoenix a brief lead late in the game, Jerami Grant sealed the victory with a dunk off a steal in the final seconds. For the Suns, Jalen Green scored 35 points and Devin Booker added 22, but they failed to close out the game. Phoenix will have another opportunity to reach the playoffs by facing the winner of the Golden State Warriors versus Los Angeles Clippers game. In other play-in action, the Charlotte Hornets defeated the Miami Heat in overtime, driven by LaMelo Ball's 30 points, advancing to face the winner of the Suns' next contest.
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