Deni Avdija nearly recorded a triple-double Monday night, scoring 33 points with nine assists and eight rebounds as the Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Utah Jazz 137-117 at the Moda Center.
Shaedon Sharpe added 29 points, seven assists, and five rebounds, while Donovan Clingan contributed 12 points and 17 rebounds, helping Portland dominate the boards 45-42.
The Trail Blazers shot 53% from the field, including 40% from three, with Sharpe hitting five long-range shots and Avdija making four. Portland also converted 20 of 21 free throws.
Seven Portland players scored in double figures, with starters and bench contributors combining for a balanced offensive attack. Toumani Camara scored 15 points, Caleb Love and Sidy Cissoko each added 14, and Kris Murray finished with 10.
Portland built a 78-57 lead by halftime and extended it to 114-83 after three quarters, allowing Avdija to sit out the fourth as the team cruised to victory.
For Utah, Lauri Markkanen led with 22 points, and Jusuf Nurkic recorded 21 points and 12 rebounds in his return after missing two games with a sprained toe. The Jazz have now lost four straight games and eight of their last 10.
Utah shot 49% from the field but only 42% from three-point range, and the team was limited to 14 fast-break points compared to Portland’s early first-half surge. Keyonte George added 15 points, while the team struggled to match Portland’s scoring depth.
Portland’s three-game winning streak improves their record to 17-20, while Utah falls to 12-23. The Blazers will host the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, and the Jazz travel to face the Oklahoma City Thunder to finish their four-game road trip.
