Deni Avdija returned from a three-game absence and immediately made his presence felt, finishing with 26 points, eight assists and eight rebounds as the Portland Trail Blazers held off the Sacramento Kings 117-110 on Sunday night.
Avdija, who strained his lower back late in a loss to New York last weekend, showed no lingering effects. He shot 10-for-18 from the floor in 31 minutes and helped Portland secure its ninth win in 12 games. Shaedon Sharpe matched Avdija with 26 points, while rookie center Donovan Clingan delivered a dominant performance inside with 21 points and 17 rebounds. Toumani Camara added 17 points as Portland completed a three-game season sweep of Sacramento.
The victory pushed the Trail Blazers to 22-22, bringing them back to .500 for the first time since Nov. 11. Portland has now won 12 of its last 15 games.
Malik Monk led the Kings with 23 points, Russell Westbrook contributed 20 points and seven assists, and Domantas Sabonis finished with eight points but committed six turnovers in just his second game back after missing 27 contests with a knee injury. Sacramento, which had won the first four games of its homestand, fell to 12-31.
Portland built a 14-point lead and withstood a Kings push that cut the margin to 95-86 early in the fourth quarter. Clingan scored seven of his points over the final nine minutes to help the Trail Blazers close it out.
Playing the second night of a back-to-back, Portland was without Jrue Holiday, Jerami Grant and Robert Williams III due to injury management.
Up next:
The Trail Blazers host the Miami Heat on Thursday night, while the Kings welcome Miami on Tuesday night.
