Portland Trail Blazers Outlast Sacramento Kings in 134-133 Overtime Thriller: Deni Avdija’s Career Night and NBA Betting Analysis
PORTLAND, Ore. — In a game that defined the “never say die” spirit of the NBA, the Portland Trail Blazers secured a heart-stopping 134-133 overtime victory over the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night at the Moda Center. The contest, which featured a miraculous late-regulation comeback by Sacramento and a career-best performance from Portland’s rising star Deni Avdija, has immediately become a candidate for the game of the year in the 2025-26 NBA season.
For sports bettors and NBA fans tracking the latest NBA scores and schedule updates, this matchup provided everything: high-stakes drama, elite individual scoring, and a betting “underdog” story that saw the Blazers edge out a veteran-heavy Kings squad.
Deni Avdija’s Career-High Performance Stuns Sacramento
The headline of the night belonged to Deni Avdija. The Portland forward put on a masterclass, finishing with a career-high 35 points. Avdija was efficient throughout the evening, shooting 12-for-19 from the field. However, it was his composure at the free-throw line that sealed the win.
With just 1.5 seconds remaining in the overtime period and Portland trailing by one, Avdija drew a crucial foul on Russell Westbrook during a desperate final drive. Standing alone at the stripe with the game on the line, Avdija calmly sank both free throws, bringing his total to 10-of-12 from the line for the night.
“I just focused on the rim and my breathing,” Avdija said post-game. “We worked too hard as a team to let this one slip away after that run they had in the fourth.”
DeMar DeRozan’s Late-Game Heroics Fall Just Short
On the other side of the court, DeMar DeRozan reminded the world why he is considered one of the greatest “clutch” players in NBA history. DeRozan led the Kings with 33 points, but the stat line doesn’t tell the full story.
Sacramento looked buried in the fourth quarter, trailing by 15 points with less than two minutes remaining. What followed was a staggering 17-2 run sparked almost entirely by DeRozan and Westbrook. DeRozan scored 22 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter and overtime combined, including a cold-blooded 3-pointer with eight seconds left in regulation to force the extra period.
In overtime, DeRozan hit a turnaround jumper with only four seconds left to give Sacramento a 133-132 lead, their only lead of the overtime session. Unfortunately for Kings fans, the lead lasted only seconds before Avdija’s game-winning free throws.
Key Box Score Stats and Notable Performances
While the stars headlined the show, the depth of both rosters was on full display.
- Shaedon Sharpe (Portland): Contributed 26 points, including a lethal 4-of-6 from beyond the arc.
- Maxime Raynaud (Sacramento): The rookie center established new career highs with 29 points and 11 rebounds, filling in admirably for the injured Domantas Sabonis.
- Russell Westbrook (Sacramento): Despite the late-game foul, Westbrook was a force off the bench, recording a double-double with 20 points and 10 assists on 8-of-11 shooting.
- Donovan Clingan (Portland): The rookie big man held his own in the paint with 19 points and 8 rebounds.
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Key Stat |
| Deni Avdija (POR) | 35 | 7 | 5 | Career-High Points |
| DeMar DeRozan (SAC) | 33 | 4 | 5 | 22 Pts in Q4/OT |
| Maxime Raynaud (SAC) | 29 | 11 | 2 | Career-High Pts |
| Shaedon Sharpe (POR) | 26 | 3 | 4 | 4/6 3PT |
NBA Betting Analysis: Portland Blazers vs. Sacramento Kings
For those looking at NBA betting odds and predictions, this game was a prime example of why the “Point Spread” and “Over/Under” are so volatile in the modern NBA.
- The Over/Under: The total for this game was set significantly lower than the final 267-point combined total. Bettors who took the “Over” were rewarded early as both teams shot over 50% from the field.
- Live Betting Opportunities: The fourth-quarter swing provided massive value for live bettors. When Portland was up by 15 with 2:28 left, the Kings’ live odds were astronomical. While they didn’t complete the win, the spread coverage was a wild ride.
- Player Props: Deni Avdija’s points over/under was set in the mid-teens. His 35-point explosion was a massive “hit” for prop bettors.
What’s Next for the Blazers and Kings?
This game was only the first half of a unique home-and-home set. The two teams will travel to California for a rematch on Saturday night in Sacramento.
Kings head coach Doug Christie will likely look to address the defensive lapses that allowed Portland to build a massive lead, while Portland’s Chauncey Billups will focus on closing out games more effectively to avoid the late-game collapses seen on Thursday.
