PHOENIX (Interstat) — Deni Avdija scored 41 points and dished 12 assists as the Portland Trail Blazers opened the NBA playoffs with a 114-110 road victory over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night at Mortgage Matchup Center. Avdija, who also had seven rebounds, propelled a Portland offense that built a 65-62 halftime lead and held off a late Phoenix rally. Jalen Green led the Suns with 35 points, while Dillon Brooks added 20. The Trail Blazers, who shot efficiently in the first half, secured the win despite 22 points from Devin Booker. A crowd of 17,071 saw Portland take a 1-0 series lead.

PHOENIX (Interstat) — In a playoff opener defined by explosive runs and a relentless individual performance, the Portland Trail Blazers seized home-court advantage with a dramatic 114-110 victory over the Phoenix Suns in Game 1 of their first-round series Tuesday night at Mortgage Matchup Center. A raucous crowd of 17,071 saw the Suns, installed as 3.5-point favorites, control the action for long stretches behind the electric scoring of Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks. But they had no answer for Portland’s Deni Avdija, who authored a masterpiece with 41 points, 12 assists and seven rebounds to will his team to the finish line. The game turned decisively in a chaotic fourth quarter. Phoenix, leading 88-80 after a Brooks layup with 10:48 remaining, appeared poised to pull away. The Suns’ defense was disruptive, forcing a flurry of Portland turnovers, and the momentum was squarely with the home team. Portland’s response was a 17-4 blitz, fueled almost entirely by Avdija and Jrue Holiday. Avdija, the 6-foot-8 forward from Beit Zera, Israel, was the catalyst, scoring or assisting on 13 of those points. His step-back three-pointer with 4:15 left gave Portland a 97-92 lead, capping the run and forcing a Suns timeout. The Suns briefly reclaimed a 105-102 edge after a Green three-pointer with 3:31 to play, but Avdija calmly sank two free throws and then found Jerami Grant for a critical corner three on the next possession to put Portland ahead for good at 107-106. Phoenix had multiple chances in the final minute. Down 110-108, Devin Booker missed a fadeaway, and Avdija secured the defensive rebound. After a Portland timeout, Avdija drove and scored over Brooks with 16.1 seconds left, drawing a foul. He completed the three-point play for a 113-108 cushion. Jordan Goodwin’s layup cut it to three, but Matisse Thybulle stole the ensuing inbounds pass, and Grant sealed it with a breakaway dunk. The contest was a tale of contrasting halves and quarters. Phoenix raced out to a 33-31 lead after one, powered by 13 points from Green. Portland responded with a 34-point second quarter, taking a 65-62 lead into halftime behind 20 first-half points from Avdija. The third quarter was a defensive slog, with Portland managing only 18 points, allowing Phoenix to claw back and tie the game at 82 heading to the final period. Beyond Avdija’s heroics, Holiday provided crucial support with 21 points for Portland. Green led Phoenix with 35 points, while Brooks added 20 and Booker finished with 22. Royce O’Neale was a defensive force for the Suns with eight rebounds and three steals. The loss negated strong statistical projections for Phoenix, which entered with a 63% probability to win according to National Statistical’s ELO system. The combined score of 224 points went under the pregame over/under line of 218.5. With the win, Portland improves to 43-40 and takes a 1-0 series lead. Phoenix falls to 45-38. The Trail Blazers’ victory continues a strong late-season push, having won seven of their last ten games. For the Suns, it was a missed opportunity at home after closing the regular season with a dominant road win in Oklahoma City. Game 2 is scheduled for Thursday night in Phoenix before the series shifts to Portland.

PHOENIX (Interstat) — A critical late-season matchup with playoff implications tips off Tuesday when the Portland Trail Blazers visit the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center. Both teams are jockeying for position in the crowded Western Conference standings. The Suns (45-37) currently hold a three-game advantage over the Trail Blazers (42-40) with just days remaining in the regular season. A Portland victory would tighten the race, while a Phoenix win would create significant separation. The Trail Blazers enter on a two-game winning streak, most recently defeating Sacramento 122-110 on Sunday. They are powered by forward Deni Avdija, who is in the midst of a stellar stretch. Over his last 10 games, Avdija is averaging 24.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6.7 assists, including a 25-point, 10-assist performance against the Kings. His playmaking and scoring have been central to Portland’s 7-3 record in that span. Phoenix is coming off a dominant 135-103 road win over Oklahoma City, led by an unexpected standout. Guard Jamaree Bouyea, who has seen limited minutes for much of the season, erupted for 27 points, nine assists and five rebounds in 40 minutes. His role and production Tuesday remain a key variable after a string of mostly brief appearances prior to the outburst. The season series is tied 1-1. Phoenix won 130-125 in Portland on Feb. 3, but the Trail Blazers evened it with a 92-77 defensive victory in Phoenix on Feb. 22. For Portland, Jrue Holiday (23 points vs. Sacramento) and Donovan Clingan (13 points, 11 rebounds) provide vital support. Phoenix will look for consistency from Ryan Dunn (20 points, 11 rebounds vs. OKC) and center Khaman Maluach (18 points, 14 rebounds). Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. PDT. The Suns seek to protect their home court and solidify their standing, while the Trail Blazers aim to continue their recent surge and close the gap in the West.