Trail Blazers’ Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara Gloss in Loss against Donner

The Portland Trail Blazers left the Moda Center disappointed on Sunday that they could not get out of the Oklahoma City Thunder, but they were still satisfied with their general efforts against the NBA’s top team.

The impressive game of strikers Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara was the focus of the Blazer performance during the loss of 118-108.

They combined 52 points in the 17-of-27 shooting from the field and 9 out of 14 from three-point area, 17 rebounds and 12 assists. Blazes trainer Chauncey Billups impressed her ability to play well together.

“Familiarity happens,” said Billups. “They start learning how to play each other and the other boys out there. Both are really young players, of whom I think they discover things about themselves during this time that they hadn’t done before. “

The 24-year-old Camara scored 24 points in a career. He made all five of his three -point attempts and contributed nine rebounds and four assists.

His goal is still in progress. During his previous nine games, Camara only shot 40.6% from the field and 25% from the three -point range and an average of 10.4 points. Two zero -point performance was also included.

Camara started hot on Sunday and never got cold. However, he made the game disappointed with his defensive effort.

“I have the feeling that I was hit too easily on one -off talks,” he said. “It is something that I am very proud of. The effort was still there. I didn’t move my feet like normally, and it was frustrating.

The 6-foot 7-camara said that he expects his offense to be based on how well it shoots that night. But he calls for himself to play well every evening. This brings him.

“Defensive, here you really get your connection to your team,” he said. “Communication and effort.”

Camara earned a start job mainly because of his defense. Billups said Camara’s strength was a disruptor.

“Toumani runs out to do his best to prevent her from stopping her, touching the ball and stopping her,” said her offense, “said Billups. “In contrast to the attempt to be solid and have an impact. He tries to be really annoying and get you out of the game. “

The 24 -year -old Advija was more offensive than Camara.

His 28 points and eight templates against the thunder were both high season. He also had eight rebounds.

Since November 17, Avdija has shot 50% of the field and 37.3% from the three-point area, which achieved an average of 16.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists over 29 games with 15 starts.

Billups pointed out that Avdija was used differently than in his four seasons in Washington, before the Blazer acquired him in a trade in draft day trading last June.

According to Billups, Avdija’s offenses came mainly with the wizards and kickouts. With the blazers, he is asked to attack the basket and work as a playmaker.

The ability of the 6-9 Avdija to get into the color are the blazers, said Billups.

“And when you arrive there, most defendments will be undisciplined at this time, and then you can make pieces,” said Billups.

Avdija’s growth in this area has experienced a few moments. He started 10 sales in a defeat against Philadelphia and seven in a victory in Milwaukee.

According to Billups, these lessons can pay off at the end.

If both strikers go into defense together, they can become a force. If both also deliver aggressively, the blazers are difficult to beat.

Both said their connection up to date comes from the parts of the same competitive ducts.

“I think it’s our energy how hard we play at both ends and how much we want to affect the game to try to win games,” said Camara.

Their close relationship before the court helped them develop chemistry at the Court of Justice.

“I have the feeling that we communicate very well with each other,” said Avdija. “We are both real competitors. We want to help the team as much as possible. “

The Blazer (17-29) are far from being the thunder (37-8), but the development of Camara and Avdja has taken a step in the right direction.

“That’s what discovery and development is about,” said Billups. “They start to find out things.”