PORTLAND, Ore. (Interstat) — The surging Portland Trail Blazers will look to continue their climb up the Western Conference standings when they host the Eastern Conference contender New York Knicks on Sunday at Moda Center. The game features a compelling matchup between two of the league’s hottest players. Knicks guard Jalen Brunson enters averaging 28.4 points and 6.5 assists over his last 10 games, including a 47-point outburst against Miami on Dec. 21. He is coming off a 26-point, 7-assist performance in a 123-111 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday. He will be countered by Portland’s Deni Avdija, who is in the midst of a career-best stretch. The forward has posted four triple-doubles in his last 10 contests and is averaging 28.8 points, 8.8 rebounds and 9.0 assists in that span. He scored a season-high 41 points in Portland’s last outing, a 103-102 victory over Houston on Jan. 7. The Knicks (25-13) have won two straight and sit near the top of the East, though they are just 3-3 in their last six games. Their success has been fueled by offense, scoring 123 or more points in four of their last five wins. Center Karl-Anthony Towns, who had 20 points and 11 rebounds against the Clippers, provides a versatile frontcourt complement to Brunson. Portland (18-20) has won five of its last six games to push back toward .500, with the lone loss in that stretch a 29-point defeat at Oklahoma City. Their recent surge has been keyed by Avdija’s all-around brilliance and improved defense, holding three of their last four opponents under 110 points. This contest is the first of a two-game season series, with the teams set to meet again in New York on Jan. 30. Following this game, the Knicks continue a West Coast road trip in Sacramento and Golden State, while the Trail Blazers host Atlanta before embarking on a four-game trip of their own.