Sports
Deni Avdija scores 26 as the Trail Blazers beat the Kings 128-120 to start 2-0
Portland opened the third quarter on a 15-0 run and spoiled Sacramento's home opener despite 33 points from Darius Acuff Jr. and a Sabonis triple-double.
Deni Avdija scored 26 points with six rebounds and six assists as the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Sacramento Kings 128-120 on Friday night in Sacramento.
Damian Lillard and Toumani Camara each scored 19 points for Portland, which improved to 2-0. Camara made five of his 10 3-point tries.
The loss spoiled the Kings' home opener and dropped them to 0-2.
The third-quarter swing
Sacramento led by 12 midway through the first quarter after Zach LaVine made three free throws and was ahead 64-59 at halftime.
Portland came out of the break on a 15-0 run, capped by a Camara 3 for a 74-64 lead. The Blazers made 8 of 19 from deep in the third quarter after going 4 for 22 in the first half.
Kings stars shine in a loss
Rookie Darius Acuff Jr. led all scorers with 33 points. Domantas Sabonis had a triple-double with 27 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists. LaVine added 22 points.
Sabonis hit a 3 with 3:21 left to cut it to 121-118. Donovan Clingan answered with a late basket and two free throws and Avdija added a free throw with 43.5 seconds to go to close it out.
Ja Morant had 12 points and seven assists for Portland. Jrue Holiday added 12 points and eight assists.
Up next
The Kings host the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday. The Trail Blazers visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday.
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