NBA Roundup: Blazers Move Closer to Play-In, Kings Edge Warriors, Wizards Secure League’s Worst Record
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PORTLAND, Ore. — Deni Avdija scored 35 points to power the Portland Trail Blazers past the Los Angeles Clippers, 116-97, on Friday, keeping Portland on track for the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference.
Donovan Clingan added 18 points and 13 rebounds, while Robert Williams III finished with 13 points and 10 boards. The Blazers dominated the glass 46-35 and protected the ball to offset a brief Clippers surge late in the third quarter. Avdija’s three-point play midway through the fourth ignited a run that stretched the lead to 16 and put the game out of reach.
Portland can clinch a berth in the 7-8 play-in matchup with a win at Sacramento on Sunday. Shaedon Sharpe returned from a lengthy absence and contributed eight points in 15 minutes.
Kings 124, Warriors 118
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Rookie guard Devin Carter poured in a career-high 29 points as the Kings defeated Golden State in their home finale. Center Maxime Raynaud chipped in 23. Despite the victory, Sacramento remains tied with Utah for the NBA’s fourth-worst record entering the regular-season finale.
Heat 140, Wizards 117
MIAMI — Washington’s 140-117 loss to Miami dropped the Wizards to 17-64, ensuring the league’s worst record for the season. The defeat was Washington’s ninth straight and 25th in the last 26 games, making the franchise the first in NBA history to lose at least 64 games in three consecutive seasons.
Rookie Bub Carrington led the Wizards with 30 points, and Bilal Coulibaly scored 25, including 19 before halftime.
Source: Hoops Wire
