The Portland Trail Blazers were blown out 122-103 at home by the San Antonio Spurs at the Moda Center overnight (Saturday into Sunday), suffering their second consecutive NBA loss and falling to 6-3 on the season, good for eighth place in the Western Conference. Now, it’s time for Sports Rabbi to break down Deni Avdija’s performance.

Avdija’s Stats: 23:31 minutes, 15 points, 3-10 on two-point attempts, 2-3 from three-point range, 3-4 from the free-throw line, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 turnovers, 1 steal, 2 fouls and a minus-19 plus/minus.

Avdija’s Grade – 6
Led by Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio controlled the opening stages, but Portland managed to finish the first quarter trailing by just two, 22-20. However, the Blazers went into halftime down 15, 64-49, before the third quarter turned into a complete knockout. The Spurs came out of halftime and took a commanding 109-76 lead, having gone by as many as 35 points. Portland could only reduce the damage in the fourth quarter.

As the final score and statistics suggest, this was not a particularly good outing for Avdija. He knocked down a couple of three-pointers but struggled to finish around the basket, particularly at the start of the second half. He also committed turnovers early in the game and although he tried to match Wembanyama’s physicality, it wasn’t enough to contain the Spurs star, who finished with 29 points.

Avdija also didn’t contribute enough in other areas, and naturally received some rest in the fourth quarter after already sitting during the closing minutes of the third. Even without the injured Ja Morant, a team like San Antonio currently presents a challenge that may simply be too much for Portland to handle.

Avdija and the Trail Blazers will look to bounce back at home against Oklahoma City in the early hours of Wednesday morning (6:00 a.m. Israel time), and we can’t wait!