
Spoelstra: No need to penalize Ball any further
Erik Spoelstra supports no further penalties for LaMelo Ball after flagrant foul.
The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Phoenix Suns 114-110 after overcoming an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter, with Deni Avdija scoring 41 points. The Blazers secured the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference playoffs and will face the San Antonio Spurs in the first round.
PHOENIX (AP) — Deni Avdija scored 41 points — including a go-ahead 3-point play with 16.1 seconds left — and the Portland Trail Blazers clawed back from an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the Phoenix Suns 114-110 in the NBA's play-in tournament on Tuesday night. Jordan Goodwin drove for a layup to give the Suns a 110-109 lead with 32 seconds left, but Avdija responded with a physical take to the rim, making a layup while getting fouled and made the free throw for a 112-110 lead. The Suns had a chance to go back ahead but Jalen Green's 3-pointer was off the mark. Goodwin grabbed the offensive rebound but was stripped by Matisse Thybulle to seal the win for the Blazers. Portland earned the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference playoffs and will face the San Antonio Spurs in the first round. The Suns will host the winner of the Clippers-Warriors game on Friday. Whoever wins will earn the No. 8 seed and face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the playoffs. The loser’s season is over. \\\_ AP NBA:
The Trail Blazers overcame an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter, with Deni Avdija scoring a crucial go-ahead 3-point play with 16.1 seconds left.
Deni Avdija scored 41 points, including a key layup and free throw that helped secure the victory for the Trail Blazers.
The Trail Blazers will face the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

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