The Portland Trail Blazers left the Moda Center Sunday disappointed that they couldn’t pull out a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, but they were still pleased with their overall effort against the NBA’s top team.
The impressive play of forwards Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara was at the heart of the Blazers’ performance during the 118-108 loss.
They combined for 52 points on 17-of-27 shooting from the field and 9 of 14 from three-point range, 17 rebounds and 12 assists. Their ability to play well together has impressed Blazes coach coach Chauncey Billups.
“Familiarity is happening,” Billups said. “They’re starting to learn how to play off of one another, with one another, as well as the other guys that are out there. Both are really young players that I think are discovering things about themselves at this time that they hadn’t done before.”
Camara, 24, scored a career-high 24 points. He made all five of his three-point attempts and contributed nine rebounds and four assists.
His scoring remains a work in progress. During his previous nine games, Camara shot just 40.6% from the field and 25% from three-point range while averaging 10.4 points. Two zero-point performances were also included.
On Sunday, Camara started hot and never got cold. However, he left the game disappointed with his defensive effort.
“I feel like I was getting beat on one-on-ones too easily,” he said. “It’s something that I take a lot of pride in. The effort was still there. I wasn’t moving my feet like I usually do, and it was frustrating.
The 6-foot-7 Camara said he expects his offense to come and go based on how well he shoots on a given night. But he demands from himself to play well defensively each night. Doing so brings him.
“Defensively, that’s really where you get your connection with your team,” he said. “Communication and effort.”
Camara earned a starting job primarily because of his defense. Billups said Camara’s strength is as a disruptor.
“Toumani goes out to try his best to keep you from scoring, keep you from touching the ball, keep you from running your offense,” Billups said. “As opposed to just trying to be solid, and have an impact. He’s trying to really be disruptive and take you out of the game.”
Toumani Camara #33 of the Portland Trail Blazers shoots the ball against Isaiah Hartenstein #55 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Moda Center on January 26, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)Getty Images
Advija, 24, has been more consistent offensively than Camara.
His 28 points and eight assists against the Thunder were both season highs. He also had eight rebounds.
Since Nov. 17, Avdija has shot 50% from the field and 37.3% from three-point range, averaging 16.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists over 29 games with 15 starts.
Billups pointed out that Avdija is being used differently than he was during his four seasons in Washington before the Blazers acquired him in a draft-day trade last June.
Billups said Avdija’s offense with the Wizards came mainly from closeouts and kickouts. With the Blazers, he is asked to attack the basket and operate as a playmaker.
The 6-9 Avdija’s ability to get into the paint, Billups said, is something the Blazers have needed.
“And when you get there, most defenses become undisciplined at that point, and then you’re able to make plays,” Billups said.
Avdija’s growth in this area has experienced some down moments. He committed 10 turnovers in a loss to Philadelphia and seven in a win at Milwaukee.
Those lessons, Billups said, can pay off in the end.
When both forwards get going on defense together, they can become a force. If both also deliver offensively, the Blazers become tough to beat.
Both said their on-court connection comes from sharing the same competitive mindset.
“I think it’s our energy, how hard we play on both ends and how much we want to impact the game to try to win games,” Camara said.
Their tight relationship off the court has helped them develop chemistry on the court.
“I feel like we’re very good at communicating with each other,” Avdija said. “We’re both real competitors. We want to help the team as much as we can.”
The Blazers (17-29) are far from being on par with the Thunder (37-8), but the development of Camara and Avdja has provided a step in the right direction.
“That’s what discovery and development is all about,” Billups said. “You start to find out things.”
— Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)