PORTLAND Trail Blazers rallied from a fourth-quarter deficit to defeat Phoenix Suns, 114-110, and clinch a playoffs spot in the NBA Western Conference 7th-8th play-in game on Tuesday night (Wednesday in the Philippines) at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
Down 97-105 midway through the fourth quarter, the Trail Blazers leaned on conversions from Deni Avdija, Jerami Grant, and Shaedon Sharpe to take a 107-106 advantage with 1:54 left.
The Suns still manage to reclaim the lead twice, including at 110-109 on a Jordan Goodwin layup, but a completed three-point play from Avdija and a fastbreak dunk by Grant clinch the win for the Trail Blazers.
Avdija finished with 41 points to go with 12 assists and seven rebounds as the Trail Blazers clinched seventh playoffs spot in the West and will battle San Antonio Spurs in the first round.
Jrue Holiday added 21 markers, including four three-point conversions, while Grant and Sharpe contributed 16 and 12 markers, respectively, off the bench for the Trail Blazers.
Filipino-American guard Jalen Green paced the Suns with 35 points, Devin Booker added 22 markers, while Dillon Brooks and Goodwin tallied 21 and 12 points, respectively.
The Suns still has a chance to clinch the last playoff spot if it wins on Friday night (Saturday in the Philippines) against the survivor of Los Angeles Clippers-Golden State Warriors 9th-10th play-in game.
Meanwhile, LaMelo Ball scored on a go-ahead layup late in the overtime as Charlotte Hornets oust Miami Heat, 127-126, in the Eastern Conference 9th-10th play-in game.
Ball concluded the match with a double-double of 30 points and 10 assists, Miles Bridges added 28 markers, while Brandon Miller and Coby White tallied 23 and 19 points, respectively, for the Hornets.
Hornets will battle the loser of the 7th-8th play-in game between Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic for a chance to complete the Eastern Conference playoff teams./PN
