Deni Avdija's incredible performance almost secured him back-to-back triple-doubles, but it was his team, the Portland Trail Blazers, who truly dominated the Utah Jazz in a 137-117 blowout victory.
Avdija, the Western Conference's reigning player of the week, put up an impressive stat line of 33 points, 9 assists, and 8 rebounds in just three quarters. He came tantalizingly close to achieving another triple-double, which would have been his second in a row. The Israeli forward's performance was a sight to behold, as he showcased his all-around game and nearly single-handedly led the Blazers to victory.
But here's where it gets controversial... Despite Avdija's outstanding individual effort, it was the collective performance of the Trail Blazers that truly sealed the deal. Seven players scored in double digits, with Shaedon Sharpe leading the way with 29 points. The Blazers' depth and balanced scoring proved to be too much for the Jazz to handle.
And this is the part most people miss: the Blazers' efficiency. They shot an impressive 53% from the field and an even more remarkable 40% from beyond the arc. Their free throw shooting was nearly perfect, missing only one out of 21 attempts. It was a clinical display of shooting accuracy and precision.
Lauri Markkanen and Jusuf Nurkic tried to keep the Jazz in the game, combining for 43 points, but it wasn't enough to stop the Blazers' momentum.
The Trail Blazers now sit at 17-20, having won three straight games and five out of their last six. They'll look to continue their winning streak when they host the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night.
As for the Jazz, they'll aim to snap their four-game losing streak when they visit the defending NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, on Wednesday.
So, what do you think? Was Avdija's performance overshadowed by the team's overall dominance? Or did he deserve more credit for his near-triple-double? Let's discuss in the comments and share your thoughts on this exciting NBA matchup!
