Deni Avdija scored 26 points on 9-for-13 shooting as the Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Sacramento Kings 110-98 in a preseason game at Golden 1 Center on Tuesday. Portland built a 27-point lead before Sacramento rallied in the fourth quarter, but the Trail Blazers maintained control to improve to 3-0 in preseason play.
Avdija added nine rebounds, four assists and two blocks in 25 minutes, converting all six of his free throws. He helped Portland establish an early advantage and continued to produce after halftime, finishing as the game’s leading scorer.
The Kings fell to 0-4 in preseason play and remained winless at home. Sacramento shot 33% from the field, making 30 of 90 attempts, while Portland connected on 39 of 87 shots (45%).
The Trail Blazers set the tone in the opening quarter, outscoring Sacramento 33-22. Avdija scored early through drives and perimeter shooting, while Damian Lillard connected from 31 feet and added another three-pointer later in the game.
Portland extended its advantage in the second quarter, scoring 33 points to Sacramento’s 17. Deni Avdija knocked down a three-pointer during the period, and Scoot Henderson added perimeter scoring as the visitors took a 66-39 lead into halftime.
Lillard finished with 14 points, four assists and three three-pointers in 23 minutes. Toumani Camara contributed 11 points and seven rebounds, while Henderson recorded nine points and four assists.
Ja Morant added 14 points and six assists off the bench, shooting 4-for-6 from the field and 6-for-9 at the free-throw line. Jrue Holiday scored 11 points in 21 minutes, while Robert Williams III collected nine points and eight rebounds.
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Avdija’s efficient performance headlined a balanced Portland effort. The Trail Blazers had 30 assists on 39 made field goals and committed only 14 turnovers, helping them capitalize on Sacramento’s shooting struggles.
Sacramento improved offensively after halftime, scoring 27 points in each of the middle quarters before adding 32 in the fourth. The Kings outscored Portland 32-17 in the final period, but the deficit created earlier proved too large to overcome.
Jonathan Mogbo and Tristen Newton led Sacramento with 15 points apiece. Mogbo added 10 rebounds and four assists, while Newton shot 4-for-9 from the field and made six free throws. Emanuel Sharp scored 12 points, and Precious Achiuwa finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Alex Karaban contributed eight points and eight rebounds, while Daeqwon Plowden scored 10 points off the bench. Sacramento’s late push reduced the margin, but Portland responded with baskets from its reserves to prevent a closer finish.
The Kings finished with 55 rebounds, narrowly ahead of Portland’s 56, but their 30-for-90 shooting and 25-for-40 free-throw performance limited their chances.
