SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Deni Avdija and Damian Lillard powered the Portland Trail Blazers to a dominant 112-90 victory over the Utah Jazz on Saturday night (Sunday in the Philippines), overcoming the absence of injured star Ja Morant to improve to 4-1 in the NBA.
Avdija fired 24 points, while Lillard added 22 as Portland secured its first victory since Morant suffered a strained left hamstring that is expected to sideline him for most of November.
Trailing 7-6 early, the Trail Blazers seized control with a blistering 17-0 run, fueled by 13 combined points from Avdija and Lillard, and never looked back.
Portland stretched its advantage to as many as 28 points, 110-82, with 2:41 remaining, while dominating Utah from beyond the arc and at the free-throw line.
The Blazers outscored the Jazz, 48-33, on three-pointers and 34-21 on free throws, with Avdija converting 10 of his 13 foul shots.
Jrue Holiday, Toumani Camara and Scoot Henderson chipped in 14 points apiece as Portland tightened its defense after surrendering an average of 124.3 points in its previous three outings.
Rookie Darryn Peterson led Utah with 16 points, followed by Lauri Markkanen with 13 and Brice Sensabaugh with 12 as the Jazz suffered their third consecutive defeat.
Meanwhile, Tyrese Maxey erupted for 38 points as the Philadelphia 76ers rallied past the Charlotte Hornets, 109-104, behind a strong finishing effort from Maxey, Jaylen Brown and VJ Edgecombe.
Maxey buried four three-pointers, while Anfernee Simons contributed 19 points. Brown added 16, Jabari Walker scored 12 and Edgecombe finished with 10.
Philadelphia prevailed despite resting Joel Embiid and LeBron James in the second game of a back-to-back schedule.
Grayson Allen paced Charlotte with 27 points, including seven triples, while Brandon Miller added 24. Naz Reid and Moussa Diabate contributed 14 and 10 points, respectively./PN
