Deni Avdija Scores 22 With 11 Assists as Portland Falls 124–118 to Lakers

Israeli forward Deni Avdija finished one rebound short of a triple-double as the Portland Trail Blazers lost 124–118 to the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on Friday night, November 6. He recorded 22 points, 11 assists and 9 rebounds in the NBA Cup game in Los Angeles, which ended early Saturday morning in Israel. Avdija played 38 minutes and 38 seconds and shared Portland’s scoring lead with Damian Lillard, who also had 22 points. He made 6 of his 12 field-goal attempts, including 1 of 4 from three-point range, and converted 9 of 14 free throws. His statistical line also included 2 steals and 8 turnovers. Portland led 29–20 after the first quarter and held a 60–53 advantage at half-time. The game turned in the third quarter, when the Lakers outscored the Trail Blazers 34–15 to take an 87–75 lead. Portland scored 43 points in the final period against Los Angeles’s 37, but the comeback left it six points short. Luka Dončić led the Lakers with 53 points, adding 5 rebounds and 5 assists, while Austin Reaves scored 25. Portland committed 24 turnovers compared with Los Angeles’s 11. The result left the Trail Blazers with a 6–2 record and the Lakers at 8–2. The teams met in West Group C of the NBA Cup.