Deni Avdija, Ja Morant power Portland Blazers to prevail in NBA battle of unbeatens against LA Lakers
Portland holds off Lakers
Deni Avdija recorded 23 points and nine assists, and Ja Morant added 23 as Portland beat host Los Angeles 136-129. Robert Williams III contributed 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Toumani Camara scored 12.
The Trail Blazers made 18 of 36 shots from three-point range. The Lakers shot 56.2 percent overall and connected on 17 of 43 three-pointers. Sandro Mamukelashvili scored 17 for Los Angeles, while Walker Kessler had 13 and Ziaire Williams added 11.
Late shots decide contest
The Lakers led 73-68 at halftime, after Luka Doncic scored 24 points in the first half. A 7-0 run to end the half included two three-pointers from Mamukelashvili, and treys by Austin Reaves and Doncic opened the second half to put Los Angeles ahead 79-68.
Portland moved in front 108-105 on a Damian Lillard three-pointer with 9:10 left, then extended the lead to 114-106. After Avdija’s three made it 128-124 with 2:59 remaining, the Lakers closed within one. Lillard’s three-pointer with 43.1 seconds left gave Portland a 135-129 advantage.
Knicks and Spurs also win
New York outscored Detroit 37-13 in the third quarter, then held off a fourth-quarter rally. The win kept the Knicks from becoming the first defending NBA champion to start 0-4 since the Boston Celtics in 1969-70. Karl-Anthony Towns had a season-high 20 rebounds, and Jalen Brunson posted 23 points and seven assists.
San Antonio set league season highs for points, assists and three-pointers in a half, with 80, 23 and 13, respectively. Champagnie scored 26 points as the Spurs earned their second consecutive win.
Key points
- Portland beat the Lakers 136-129, led by 23 points each from Deni Avdija and Ja Morant.
- Damian Lillard’s late three-pointer helped Portland secure the win.
- Jayson Tatum’s overtime jumper gave Boston a 125-124 victory over Brooklyn.
- The Knicks avoided an 0-4 start, while San Antonio recorded its second straight win.