Deni Avdija scored 18 points and grabbed five rebounds as thePortland Trail Blazersbeat theCharlotte Hornets102 – 97 to capture their fourth consecutive victory.
Avdija drained 11 out of 13 free throws, including a pair for the 100 – 93 with 17 seconds remaining. He also had four assists and four steals during the 34 minutes he spent on the floor.
Anfernee Simmons led theBlazersoverall with 27 points and five rebounds.
Vasilije Micic was a starter for theHornetsand dropped 12 points (1 out of 6 3-pointers) in 33 minutes.
Guerschon Yabusele provided thePhiladelphia 76erswith 12 points and a career-high 13 rebounds in the win 132 – 129 win over Eastern Conference leadersCleveland Cavaliers.
This was the first defeat for theCavsafter seven straight victories.
In the other game that took place Friday, theMemphis Grizzliesdowned theNew Orleans Pelicans139 – 126 behind 29 points, seven assists and five rebounds by Jaren Jackson Jr.
Eastern Conference:
1. Cleveland Cavaliers 36-82.Boston Celtics31-143.New York Knicks29-164.Milwaukee Bucks25-175.Indiana Pacers24-206.Detroit Pistons23-217.Orlando Magic23-238.Atlanta Hawks22-229.Miami Heat21-2210.Chicago Bulls19-2611.Philadelphia 76ers16-2712.Brooklyn Nets14-3113. Charlotte Hornets 11-3014.Toronto Raptors12-3215.Washington Wizards6-37
Western Conference
1.Oklahoma City Thunder36-82.Houston Rockets29-143.Memphis Grizzlies30-154.Denver Nuggets28-165.Los Angeles Lakers24-186.Los Angeles Clippers25-197.Dallas Mavericks24-218.Sacramento Kings23-219.Minnesota Timberwolves23-2110.Phoenix Suns22-2111.Golden State Warriors22-2212.San Antonio Spurs20-2213. Portland Trail Blazers 17-2814.New Orleans Pelicans12-3315.Utah Jazz10-32