NBA: Kevin Durant on cusp of milestone, but Rockets want win vs. Blazers

The first game of the two-game set between the Houston Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers delivered a heart-stopping finish, and Friday night’s rematch promises more memorable moments.

The Trail Blazers looked to complete the sweep just two nights after Houston’s Tari Eason had a tip-in waved off as time expired, giving Portland a 103-102 victory.

Kevin Durant missed a jumper with 0.8 seconds left, and Eason was in position to tap the rebound into the net. However, as the Rockets began celebrating, officials reviewed the play and determined the ball was still on Eason’s fingertips when the red light on the backboard came on.

“It felt like we won the game,” Eason said afterward. “We didn’t, but it felt like it. I was excited because we fought through the adversity. I know we’re going to bounce back and be a better team on Friday.”

Trail Blazers star Deni Avdija scored 41 points—the second-most of his career—and admitted the roller-coaster ending gave him a stomach full of nerves.

“Roller coaster, emotional roller coaster,” Avdija said. “Sometimes you’ve got to win ugly. We were able to get the win, we stayed together, we stayed composed, and we beat a very, very good team. We’ve got to come back and do it again.”

Rockets coach Ime Udoka didn’t hide his frustration over the game-deciding call.

“It was probably on his fingertip, as close as could be,” Udoka said. “You mess around for 3 1/2 quarters, the basketball gods will be against you at times.”

Durant, 37, is in line for an individual milestone on Friday. He has scored 20 or more points in 12 straight games and needs just 15 points to surpass Wilt Chamberlain’s 31,419 points and move into seventh place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.

Houston needs to improve its shooting if it hopes to reverse its fortunes in the rematch.

“We generated good looks,” Durant said after Houston lost for the second time in seven games. “If you look at the stat sheet, everything else was better, except shooting.”

Despite holding a 57-38 rebounding edge—including 24 offensive boards—the Rockets struggled with their shots.

“We decided to play the last half of the fourth quarter,” Udoka said. “You’re shooting 37% from the field, 22% from three, and 69% from the free-throw line. If you make shots, it’s a different game, but our defensive discipline and following the game plan… it was the worst night. We were really poor for 3 1/2 quarters.”

Avdija dominated Portland’s offense, making 13 of 24 from the field, 2 of 9 from three, and 13 of 15 from the free-throw line. His stellar season—including averages of 26.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 7.0 assists—has put him in the All-Star conversation.

“He’s going to be a star. He’s a star now,” Durant said. “His biggest threat is getting downhill to the free-throw line. I think that is opening up his game.”

Portland has been tough to beat, with Wednesday’s win marking its fourth straight and sixth in seven games.

“We’re fighting our asses off every game, and I don’t think people need to take those wins for granted because we’re working very, very hard,” Avdija said. “We’re very talented, we’re a good team, but we do miss a lot of key pieces. A lot of guys are stepping up, and I’m very happy to see that.”

—Field Level Media/Reuters