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Jan 7, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Path Blazers heart Yang Hansen (16) grabs a rebound over Houston Rockets ahead Jabari Smith Jr. (10) in the course of the first half at Moda Middle. Obligatory Credit score: Jaime Valdez-Imagn Photographs Deni Avdija scored 41 factors and the Portland Path Blazers recorded a 103-102 victory over the visiting Houston Rockets on Wednesday evening when Tari Eason’s tip-in was dominated to be after time expired.
Portland led within the last seconds when Houston’s Kevin Durant missed a jumper with 0.8 seconds left. Eason bought his hand on the ball and tapped it within the internet.
However the officers reviewed the decision and dominated that Eason’s fingertips have been nonetheless in touch with the ball when the pink gentle on the backboard got here on and waved off the ring.
Avdija, who registered his second profession 40-point outing, was complimented by Shaedon Sharpe’s 20 factors because the Path Blazers received their fourth straight recreation and sixth of seven.
Kevin Durant matched his season excessive of 37 factors and Amen Thompson added 24 factors, 12 rebounds and 6 assists, because the Rockets misplaced for simply the second time in seven video games. Eason had 15 factors and 13 rebounds for Houston.
The Rockets misplaced regardless of a 57-38 rebounding edge that included 24 offensive boards.
Toumani Camara had 14 factors earlier than fouling out for Portland, which by no means trailed within the second half. Donovan Clingan had 12 factors and 7 rebounds, and reserve Caleb Love scored 10 factors.
The groups play once more Friday in Portland.
Avdija scored an inside basket to offer the Path Blazers a 103-99 lead with 48.9 seconds to go.
The margin was three when the Path Blazers fouled Durant with 5.9 seconds left so he would not have the ability to put up a trey. Durant made each free throws to tug the Rockets inside 103-102.
On the following inbounds cross, Eason intercepted Sharpe’s cross and was referred to as for a foul. Houston challenged the decision and the officers dominated in favor of the Rockets, giving the membership an opportunity for the profitable shot.
Portland shot 43.4% from the sphere, together with 12 of 40 from 3-point vary.
The Rockets linked on 37.4% of their makes an attempt and eight of 36 from behind the arc.
Avdija scored 18 first-half factors as Portland led 57-47 on the break. Durant had 16 within the half for Houston.
Portland took an 81-75 lead into the ultimate stanza.
The Rockets scored six straight to tie the rating at 84 with 8:56 remaining. After the Path Blazers scored the following 4 factors, Houston missed 5 photographs on a single possession.
As soon as Portland lastly grabbed a rebound, Camara drained a trey to offer the Path Blazers a 91-84 benefit with 6:50 left.
–Subject Stage Media
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