Rockets miss robbing Blazers by a tenth of a second

this wednesday Blazers etc Rockets cross swords for the first time before meeting again next Friday. Without Alperen SengunIt is Kevin Durant (37 points, shooting 14/26) who opened the scoring thanks to a shot from the middle, but the first big action in this match came in defense when Steven Adams against Sidi Cissoko (2 rebounds, 1 assist) with authority. On the Portland side, Danny Avdia (41 points, 13/24 shooting) scored the first eight points for his team, followed by Donovan Clingan which gives the advantage to the Blazers (11-8).

For a long series of minutes, the two teams exchange blows and at the end of this first act, Yang Hansen made his fourth 3-pointer of the season and loudly cheered Moda Center (25-21). The Chinese tried to regain the lead at the start of the second quarter, but his attempt from behind the arc was blocked by Stephen Adams.

The two teams remained deadlocked until the last two minutes before halftime. Caleb Love send Donovan Clingan on “alley-oop” then Shaedon Sharpe (20 points, 3 assists) intercepts the ball from the hands of Kevin Durant and takes control to finish the counterattack with “and one”. Donovan Klingon’s second game-winning basket follows and despite two free throws by Kevin Durant before entering the locker room, the Rockets trail 57-47.

After the break, the Rockets quickly got back within one possession after 2+1Amen Thompson (24 points, 12 rebounds) further Toumani Camara. However, the Blazers manage to maintain the advantage thanks to Danny Avdia. After four missed attempts, the Israeli made his first 3-pointer of the night. The winger continued with a basket in the paint and reached the 30-point mark, and at the very end of the third quarter he sent a shot from the middle (81-75).

Victory until the end

Once again, the Rockets tied the game, but couldn’t regain the lead from then on Shaedon Sharpe and Toumani Camara both hit 3-pointers. Two minutes after the time, Danny Avdia scored another 2+1, but Kevin Durant responded with five points in a row (101-99). Only it’s not enough as the Portland winger adds a basket.

With five seconds left, Kevin Durant was sent to shoot two free throws to bring Houston back within one point. Shaddon Sharpe takes control of the inbounds in the Rockets camp, but misses and offers the last catcher to the Texans. “KD” inherits the ball and finds a shot from the middle against Danny Avdia and Ryan Rupert (3 rebounds, 1 assist), but his attempt is too short.

Tara Eason takes responsibility for returning the ball to the circle as the final buzzer sounds. The Houston camp is jubilant, but the referees review the action and note that the ball was still in the winger’s hand when the siren sounded. Consequently, the basket was disallowed and the Rockets lost 102-103.

Tari Eason’s game winner… won’t count.

The Blazers beat the Rockets.pic.twitter.com/2tJki1Tfo0

— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) January 8, 2026

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– So close, yet so far. The second quarter run cost the Rockets dear. Ime Udoka’s men spent the entire second half chasing a score. Although Houston managed to tie the game on several occasions, they were never able to capitalize on their good runs by regaining control of the game. Even in the final moments, Tarry Eason missed a tenth of a second to allow the Rockets to win.

– Danny Avdia won his duel against Kevin Durant. To keep the Rockets afloat, Kevin Durant led the team with 37 points, but missed the decisive shot in the final moments. In contrast, Danny Avdia was solid from start to finish. The Portland winger finished with 41 points, two units shy of tying his career high, on a solid 13-of-15 free throws, four of which came after he made the basket. Late in the game, he channeled Kevin Durant’s “run” with a layup that gave the Blazers a two-possession lead and it was the basket that sounded the death knell for the Rockets.

– Blazers confirm four in a row. With this success, Portland has its fourth success and is getting closer to the Top 8 of the Western Conference. Tiago Splitter’s team also used the Clippers’ loss to move away from 11th place and stay in the playoff spot.

https://vvv.youtube.com/vatch?v=BJKB7CzkzJ4

How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Difference of points when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.