Deni Avdija recorded 26 points and a career-high 14 assists, hitting two crucial free throws with 9.8 seconds left to lift the Portland Trail Blazers to a 127-123 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Friday at Chase Center.
Caleb Love also scored 26 points, while Toumani Camara added 20 and Donovan Clingan contributed a career-high 22 points with 10 rebounds. Sidy Cissoko chipped in 15 points, helping the Trail Blazers maintain a lead throughout the fourth quarter.
Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 38 points, including nine 3-pointers, keeping Golden State within striking distance in the final minutes. Jimmy Butler and Brandin Podziemski each added 20 points, while Draymond Green had 11 points and eight rebounds in a third consecutive loss for the Warriors.
Portland built an early advantage behind Camara and Clingan, who combined for 16 points and six rebounds in the first quarter. Golden State responded with a 44-point second quarter, powered by Curry’s perfect 6-for-6 shooting from long range, to take a 72-65 halftime lead.
In the final minutes, a key offensive foul called on Butler with 4:08 remaining thwarted a potential Warriors comeback, leaving Portland in control. Avdija’s free throws sealed the win after Portland successfully defended the final possessions.
The Trail Blazers improved to 7-9 overall and 2-1 in NBA Cup play, while the Warriors fell to 9-9 and 1-2 in the tournament. Portland will visit the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, while Golden State returns home to face the Utah Jazz on Monday.
