PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Portland Trail Blazers secured a crucial win Wednesday night, triumphing over the Memphis Grizzlies 115-99 at Moda Center. Deni Avdija was the star of the game, recording an impressive 31 points, 16 rebounds, and eight assists, leading the Blazers to their third consecutive victory.
Avdija demonstrated his prowess, matching his career highs with season bests in points, rebounds, and three-pointers (five). His performance was particularly vital as the Blazers, now 31-39, remain in the hunt for a play-in spot in the competitive Western Conference.
Anfernee Simons contributed significantly with 22 points, while Shaedon Sharpe added 17 points along with seven rebounds and five assists. Toumani Camara also made an impact with 15 points in his return to the lineup after missing a game due to calf soreness.
On the other side, the Grizzlies were led by Desmond Bane, who scored 20 points. Despite their best efforts, Memphis lost their second straight game, falling to 43-27 and currently sitting fifth in the conference standings, just one game behind the Denver Nuggets.
The game started favorably for Portland as they built a 25-10 lead early in the first quarter. However, the Grizzlies began to claw their way back, responding strongly to trail 71-58 at halftime.
As the third quarter unfolded, Portland initiated an 11-3 run, pushing their lead to 82-61. Memphis managed to narrow the gap to 96-89 by the start of the final quarter, fueled by a strong performance from their bench.
Memphis’s struggles in the fourth quarter were evident as they only managed to score 10 points, shooting a mere 13% from the field during that period (3 of 23). In stark contrast, the Trail Blazers performed well defensively and offensively, out-rebounding Memphis 65-40—a critical statistic that ultimately cemented their win.
Chauncey Billups, head coach of the Trail Blazers, emphasized the importance of rebounding, stating, “We knew that we needed to rebound. This team crashes more than anybody in the league. We had a huge, huge night on the glass.”
One incident that could have shifted the momentum was a technical foul called on Jaren Jackson Jr., who was arguing with officials late in the game. This moment served to disrupt Memphis's hopes of a comeback, as they failed to get within single digits after that foul.
Avdija’s starring role did not go unnoticed. In a post-game interview, he shared, “I am just playing my game. I always say, ‘I work hard, I play hard,’ that’s what I do. And the coaching staff supports me. They help put me in the situations that I succeed in, but I couldn’t do it without the guys.”
Looking forward, the Blazers are keen to continue their positive streak as they prepare to face the Denver Nuggets next, with aspirations of pulling even closer to a playoff berth. This win not only boosted their morale but also showcased their potential to challenge better-ranked teams in the league.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies will be looking to rebound quickly as they are set to visit the Los Angeles Clippers. With a roster impacted by injuries, including superstar Ja Morant sitting out his third consecutive game due to injury, they will need to find a way to regroup and secure a much-needed victory.
Overall, Wednesday’s game highlighted the importance of timely rebounds and consistent performances from the key players. For the Blazers, it was a significant milestone to finally take down a winning team, paving the way for what they hope to be a thrilling finish to the regular season.
