Avdija scores 28 as Trail Blazers beat Nuggets 118-110

Deni Avdija scored 28 points, including Portland's last two baskets, and the Trail Blazers pulled away late to beat the Denver Nuggets 118-110 on Monday, November 2.

Avdija made 10 of 22 shots and 6 of 9 free throws. Portland (5-1) led 101-99 entering the final five minutes and outscored Denver 17-11 from there.

Denver (3-3) started fast at home. The Nuggets won the first quarter 31-19 and led 33-19 early in the second, their largest lead, then pushed it to 46-32 with a 10-0 run. Portland, which played without Ja Morant, who was out, won the second quarter 39-35 and the third 27-21.

The Blazers reached their biggest lead, 108-99, late in the fourth quarter. Jamal Murray's step-back 3-pointer with 1:18 left cut it to 110-107, but Toumani Camara answered from 23 feet on a pass from Jrue Holiday for 113-107. Avdija's pull-up jumper with 32.5 seconds left made it 115-107.

Nikola Jokic hit a 27-footer to pull Denver within 115-110. Avdija made a free throw, then scored on a short shot from Holiday with 1.7 seconds left to close it.

Murray led Denver with 35 points on 10-of-19 shooting and made all 11 of his free throws. Jokic had 26 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals but needed 22 shots for his 10 baskets. The Nuggets made 29 of 34 free throws and forced 16 turnovers, yet lost the glass.

Donovan Clingan had 17 points, 18 rebounds and four blocks. Holiday added a double-double off the bench with 17 points and 10 assists, and Damian Lillard scored 20, making 9 of 10 free throws.

Portland grabbed 21 offensive rebounds to Denver's 9, and its bench outscored Denver's 36-23. Those extra chances offset a night when the Blazers made 15 of 41 3-pointers.

Up next

Trail Blazers: at the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, November 4.

Nuggets: home against the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, November 4.