Deni Avdija narrowly missed a triple-double with 27 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds as the Portland Trail Blazers (14-19) edged the Dallas Mavericks (12-22) 125-122 on Monday night at the Moda Center. Shaedon Sharpe added 24 points, while Caleb Love contributed 24 off the bench, including six 3-pointers and clutch free throws down the stretch.
Portland built a 17-point lead in the second quarter, but Dallas fought back in the second half, with Klay Thompson hitting a running 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter and later tying the game at 99 with a 3 early in the fourth. The teams exchanged the lead eight times in the final frame before Portland pulled away.
Max Christie led the Mavericks with 25 points, and Brandon Williams added 22, while Cooper Flagg chipped in 15 points, eight assists, and six rebounds. Dallas briefly led 122-121 with 1:09 left, but Love’s free throws and Sharpe’s late foul shots sealed the victory.
Portland shot 47% from the field and converted 77% of free throws, while Dallas finished at 51% shooting and 79% from the line. The Trail Blazers scored 75 points in the first half and held off a late surge despite the Mavericks’ hot shooting from deep.
Avdija orchestrated the offense throughout, facilitating key possessions and maintaining composure in a tightly contested fourth quarter. Sharpe’s slashing ability and Love’s perimeter shooting proved decisive in the final minutes.
The Blazers improve to 14-19 with the win and will face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, while the Mavericks visit Philadelphia on Thursday.
