Deni Avdija Leads Trail Blazers to Second Straight Win Over Thunder

Israeli forward Deni Avdija had one of his best games of the season, scoring 28 points to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to a 118-108 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night. Avdija also contributed 6 assists and 4 steals, tying his season-high in points and his career-high in steals. His performance was highlighted by a career-high 13 three-point attempts, including a crucial shot in the final quarter that sealed the win. Portland coach the Portland coach praised Avdija's clutch shooting, noting that his three-pointers "came at exactly the right time."

The Blazers' strategy exploited the Thunder's defensive focus on Damian Lillard, creating open looks for Avdija. This win completed an impressive back-to-back sweep against the Thunder, as Portland had also defeated Oklahoma City 123-103 less than 24 hours prior in the same arena. The victories temporarily improved Portland's record to 7-3.

Avdija also played a significant role in the previous night's victory, recording 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists. He expressed his admiration for teammate Damian Lillard, stating that Lillard's playmaking and ability to space the floor makes everyone on the team better. Lillard echoed the sentiment of strong team play and sacrifice, emphasizing the execution of their game plan.

The Thunder, hampered by a lengthy injury list, had their four-game winning streak snapped and fell to an 8-3 record despite the presence of star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. In the first game, Lillard led the Blazers' third-quarter surge with 25 points in just 24 minutes.