Avdija Nears Triple-Double in Loss to Dončić's Mavericks
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Deni Avdija recorded 20 points, 11 assists, and 9 rebounds but his Portland Trail Blazers lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 120-113 in the NBA Cup. Luka Dončić led the Lakers with 51 points, including a dominant second half performance that erased Portland's halftime lead. The Lakers extended their winning streak to four games with the victory.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Deni Avdija neared a triple-double with 20 points, 11 assists, and 9 rebounds in a loss.
- Luka Dončić scored 51 points to lead the Lakers to a 120-113 victory over Portland.
- The Lakers overcame a halftime deficit with a strong third quarter to win.
- Portland had won their previous three games and beat the Lakers earlier this season.
- Dončić has now scored 40 or more points in four consecutive games.
Deni Avdija came within one rebound of a triple-double but it wasn't enough as his Portland Trail Blazers fell to the Los Angeles Lakers 120-113 in the NBA Cup group stage. Avdija finished the game with 20 points, 11 assists, and 9 rebounds. The star of the night was Luka Dončić, who exploded for 51 points, overshadowing Avdija's impressive all-around performance and leaving the Trail Blazers with only praise.
Portland entered the game in Los Angeles having won three consecutive games and with a previous victory against the Lakers in the same arena this season. However, the Lakers extended their own winning streak to four games, avenging their earlier 136-129 loss to Portland on October 27.
Avdija showcased his versatile contribution once again, reaching double digits in assists and nearly in rebounds to complement his 20 points. While Avdija's stat line was notable, the game's narrative was dominated by Dončić's scoring, as he accounted for nearly half of his team's points and proved to be the decisive factor.
Portland started strong, leading 29-20 after the first quarter and maintaining their advantage to hold a 60-53 lead at halftime. They appeared poised for another win over the Lakers, but the game dramatically shifted after halftime. The Lakers dominated the third quarter with a 34-15 run, erasing the deficit and building an 87-75 lead heading into the final quarter. Portland, which scored 60 points in the first half, managed only 15 in the pivotal third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Dončić already had 40 points, and the Trail Blazers found themselves chasing the Lakers. Although Portland scored 38 points in the final period and managed to narrow the gap, they couldn't complete a comeback. Dončić finished with 51 points, while Avdija fell just short of a triple-double in a game where his individual effort did not translate into a win. This marked another high-scoring performance for Dončić, who had scored at least 40 points in his previous three games and was averaging 38.5 points per game before this contest. His 51-point effort was his fourth consecutive game with 40 or more points.
