Deni Avdija dominates with 36 points in Trail Blazers win

In Portland, Oregon, the Trail Blazers secured a 128-109 victory over the Denver Nuggets. This game took place on a recent Wednesday night, with Deni Avdija playing a standout role, scoring 36 points, alongside contributing eight rebounds and seven assists. The Nuggets were missing their star center, Nikola Jokic, who was sidelined for the third consecutive game due to an ankle injury. Despite leading 59-54 at halftime, Denver couldn’t maintain their advantage as Portland went on a decisive 14-0 run early in the third quarter to seize control of the match. Portland's offense surged in the latter half, outscoring Denver 74-50, which included a key moment when Shaedon Sharpe made a three-point play that gave the Trail Blazers a pivotal lead at 69-67. The Blazers kept their momentum throughout the second half, marking their fourth consecutive victory in the process. This win allows the Trail Blazers to remain two games behind the current joint holders of the 10th spot in the Western Conference, the Dallas Mavericks and the Phoenix Suns, who are both at 33-37. Anfernee Simons also played a significant role for the Blazers, adding 23 points to the scoreline. The Nuggets experienced difficulties as they continued to deal with the absence of Jokic, which has proven to be detrimental to their strategy. Aaron Gordon attempted to fill this gap by scoring 23 points, but it was insufficient to stop the Blazers' surge, ultimately leading to their second straight loss. Following this loss, the Nuggets dropped to a half-game behind the Los Angeles Lakers for third place in the Western Conference. As both teams look ahead, the Trail Blazers will host the Boston Celtics next, while the Nuggets will face the Houston Rockets, aiming to rebound from this defeat. This match showcased the Blazers' potential as they fight for a playoff position in the ever-competitive Western Conference.