At a Glance
- Portland Trail Blazers defeat Dallas Mavericks 125-122 in a back-and-forth showdown.
- Deni Avdija leads the Blazers with 27 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds.
- The game featured eight lead changes in the fourth quarter, with Klay Thompson missing a buzzer-beating 3-pointer.
Why it matters: The win keeps the Blazers in playoff contention while the Mavericks face a tough road stretch.
In a nail-biting NBA clash on Monday night, the Portland Trail Blazers edged the Dallas Mavericks 125-122, thanks to a late surge and a clutch free-throw display from Caleb Love.
Game Summary
The Blazers opened the game strong, taking a 17-point lead in the second quarter before Dallas clawed back. Dallas surged to a 106-105 edge on a Max Christie 3-pointer with 6:56 left in the fourth, only to see Portland regain control with a 118-117 advantage after a Deni Avdija lay-up and Caleb Love’s 3-pointer.
In the final minute, Christie’s 3-pointer gave Dallas a 122-121 edge, but Love’s two free throws with 53.2 seconds left sealed the victory for Portland.
| Player | Points | Assists | Rebounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deni Avdija | 27 | 11 | 9 |
| Caleb Love | 24 | – | – |
| Shaedon Sharpe | 24 | – | – |
| Max Christie | 25 | – | – |
| Brandon Williams | 22 | – | – |
| Cooper Flagg | 15 | 8 | 6 |
Key Performances
Avdija’s near-triple-double paced the Blazers, while Love’s six 3-pointers and free-throw heroics were pivotal. Christie and Williams provided a double-digit effort for the Mavericks, but the Blazers’ depth proved decisive.
Key Takeaways
- Portland’s late-game heroics secured a 125-122 victory.
- Deni Avdija’s 27 points and 11 assists led the Blazers’ offensive output.
- Eight lead changes in the fourth quarter underscored the game’s intensity.
With the win, the Trail Blazers stay in the playoff hunt, while Dallas heads back to Philadelphia for a Thursday matchup.
