Deni Avdija is having an All-Star-level season for the Portland Trail Blazers.
He is averaging 26.3 points, which ranks 13th in the NBA, to go along with 7.2 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game. And on Wednesday night, as Avdija scored a season-high 41 points to help the Blazers edge the Houston Rockets 103-102, Moda Center fans rewarded him with MVP chants.
But the Rockets, understandably, weren’t feeling the love. They walked away with a bitter defeat after forward Tari Eason’s tip-in was waved off because video review showed it came just after the buzzer. What would have been a game-winner instead was nullified.
After watching Avdija slash his way to the basket all night and get to the free throw line 15 times (he made 13), Eason was asked what made Avdija so difficult to defend.
“Zebras,” Eason said. “Zebras.”
“That’s what made Deni hard to defend?” a reporter asked to clarify.
“Zebras,” Eason reiterated.
Avdija had his own assessment of how he overcame the Houston defense, and it didn’t involve the officials.
“I’m physical, I’m not shy” Avdija said in a postgame TV interview. “I’m getting into contact, I’m trying to make plays for my teammates, I’m aggressive, and all the teammates really helping me put them in good situations, so I’m happy.”
