Avdija Leads Portland Past Sacramento
Deni Avdija anchored a dominant offensive performance for the visiting Portland Trail Blazers, scoring 26 points and grabbing nine rebounds in a 110-98 preseason victory over the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday. The win improved Portland's preseason record to 3-0, while the host Kings fell to 0-4 in front of 12,108 fans at Golden 1 Center.
Avdija was the primary scoring threat throughout the contest, providing the spark in a game where the Trail Blazers controlled the pace. The team's depth was evident, as they outscored Sacramento 66-39 in the first two quarters. This early lead proved insurmountable, allowing Portland to manage the clock effectively in the final stretch.
Trail Blazers Build Comfortable Lead
The Trail Blazers established their dominance immediately, outscoring the Kings 33-22 in the first quarter. They maintained that momentum in the second period, adding 33 points to their total while holding Sacramento to just 17. By the halftime break, Portland held a 66-39 lead, a 27-point cushion that defined the rest of the evening.
The third quarter was even at 27 points apiece, and the Kings trailed 93-66 heading into the fourth.
