Avdija leads Portland in a close preseason opener
Deni Avdija scored 23 points as the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Golden State Warriors 123–118 at Moda Center on October 7, October 8 in the Philippines. Portland won the fourth quarter 37–32 after the teams entered the period tied at 86.
Avdija made nine of 13 field-goal attempts, including three three-pointers, in 21 minutes. Damian Lillard added 15 points. Ja Morant supplied eight points and five assists as the Blazers opened their exhibition schedule.
Portland led 57–50 at halftime, but Golden State responded with 36 points in the third quarter to draw level. Miles Kelly finished with 24 points for the Warriors, while Dalen Terry added 23 points, eight rebounds and nine assists.
The Warriors were playing the second night of a back-to-back with a reduced group. NBC Sports Bay Area reported that Stephen Curry, De’Anthony Melton, Brandin Podziemski and Yaxel Lendeborg did not make the trip to Portland. Golden State had nine players available, giving roster candidates extended opportunities against the Blazers’ regulars.
Brandon Williams scored 17 points on 7-for-11 shooting for Golden State. His performance was one of the individual positives in a game that ended with the Warriors at 1–2 in preseason.
Portland began 1–0. The exhibition result gives both coaching staffs more film to assess combinations and individual roles, while leaving the regular-season standings unchanged.