Deni Avdija Scores 24 As Trail Blazers Beat Jazz 112–90

Deni Avdija scored 24 points and Damian Lillard added 22 as the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Utah Jazz 112–90 on Saturday in Salt Lake City. Portland improved to 4–1, responding to Thursday’s loss against Memphis, while Utah lost its fourth consecutive game.

Portland took control with a 17–0 first-quarter run as the Jazz went nearly six minutes without scoring. Avdija had 19 points by halftime, making 10 of 11 free throws before the break, and the Trail Blazers led 59–42. Utah never mounted a second-half challenge.

Rookie Darryn Peterson led Utah with 16 points. Lauri Markkanen returned after missing two games with a sprained wrist but shot 3 for 14 and finished with 13 points. Keyonte George, who entered averaging 24.4 points, scored eight. Utah shot a season-low 37.1 percent.

Avdija made six of 12 shots, including two of four 3-pointers, and finished with five rebounds and two assists. Lillard contributed five rebounds and four assists alongside his scoring. Toumani Camara, Scoot Henderson and Jrue Holiday each scored 14 points, giving Portland five players in double figures. Avdija finished 10 for 13 overall at the line, while Lillard made seven of eight foul shots. Camara’s four made field goals all came from beyond the 3-point line.

Donovan Clingan collected a game-high nine rebounds despite playing fewer than 15 minutes. Henderson had three steals, while Camara made four 3-pointers. Holiday scored his 14 points on four-of-six shooting from the field and made all four free throws. Portland outscored Utah in each of the first three quarters.

The Trail Blazers played without Ja Morant after he suffered a Grade 2 left hamstring strain against Memphis. Portland said Friday he would be re-evaluated in four weeks. The guard averaged 15.8 points and 5.5 assists in his first four games with the club.