TUALATIN — The Portland Trail Blazers are enjoying a rarity in the middle of the unrelenting NBA schedule:
A three-day break from games.
It’s only the fourth time over the first three months of the season the Blazers have been afforded more than two days off, which allowed acting coach Tiago Splitter to hold a rare practice. Here are a few notes from Tuesday’s workout at the practice facility in Tualatin:
Avdija’s health, sleeping habits and All-Star voting thoughts
Deni Avdija returned after a three-game injury absence on Sunday, playing 32 dominant minutes in a 117-110 win at the Sacramento Kings. He finished with 30 points, eight assists and eight rebounds, fueling the Blazers’ 10th win in the last 13 games and easing concerns that his ailment — a strained lower back — would evolve into a long-term problem.
The news was even better two days later.
“I felt pretty solid, physically,” Avdija said. “My back was a little sore, just because I didn’t play for a week. I had to get my rhythm back a little bit in some places. In, like, crunch time, I feel like I was a little sloppy. But other than that, I feel like I’m in a good pace. The medical and coaching staff did a great job and I’m ready to continue playing.
“I’m feeling better.”
The sixth-year forward said he’s doing a variety of things behind the scenes to keep his back limber, including extra stretching and proper vitamin consumption, but the biggest change is coming in an unexpected place: his bed. Avdija has been forced to adjust his sleeping position.
“I’m a stomach sleeper,” he said.
When someone mentioned that stomach sleeping was horrible for one’s back, Avdija chuckled.
“I know, but that’s how I’ve slept my whole life,” he said. “I need it to change for sure.”
One thing Avdija can’t change is his status as an NBA All-Star game starter. He fell just short of that goal Monday, earning the seventh-most votes in the Western Conference on the weighted ballots of fans, coaches and players. Avdija did score the fifth-most votes from fans, however, which provided a nice consolation prize.
“Those are really great players with big names in the league,” said Avdija, who is averaging 26.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and 6.9 assists this season. “They’ve done a lot of good things. I’m just focusing on winning and being a good teammate. Whatever is going to come with it, is going to come with it. Obviously I wanted to be a starter, but it’s all good.
“Shout out to the fans for showing me a lot of love. I wasn’t expecting that amount of votes, but it really warms up my heart to see how much fans and how much support I get around the world. I’m just going to continue representing.”
Reaching .500
The Blazers’ win over the Kings didn’t merely continue their red-hot play — it also improved their record to 22-22.
It’s the first time since Nov. 14, when the Blazers were 6-6, they’ve been at .500 or better.
Does it matter?
“One hundred percent,” Avdija said. “I believe we’re better than 500. We’ve had a lot of injuries, a lot of incidents throughout the season, and we didn’t have an easy schedule. But … nobody cares. And we figured it out, we stayed strong, we stayed together, and that’s what matters. I’m very proud of the team.”
The Blazers’ impressive 12-game run has featured resume-building wins over Boston, San Antonio, Houston (twice) and the Los Angeles Lakers.
“I love to win,” Blazers center Donovan Clingan said. “And whatever it takes to win, I’m going to go out there and do. And when we’re winning, it brings a lot of spirit into the locker room. I feel like winning just changes the vibe around the whole organization.”
Scoot sprints
Point guard Scoot Henderson has not played in a game this season and there does not appear to be a plan for him to return anytime soon.
But there was a notable sight Tuesday in Tualatin: Henderson running full-court sprints after practice.
“He is progressing,” Splitter said. “He’s getting better. I understand. Everybody’s a little bit frustrated about this, but it’s a tough injury. It’s (one) where people tend to have a second injury, so we’ve got to be careful with him. He’s a big part of our franchise. We’ve got to protect him. And I think we’re doing the right thing and he’s feeling better day by day.”
Jimmy Butler reaction
The Golden State Warriors on Tuesday were dealt a brutal blow when All-Star forward Jimmy Butler was diagnosed with a season-ending torn right anterior cruciate ligament.
The Warriors (25-19) have been even hotter than the Blazers lately, winning 12 of their last 16 games. But the injury to Butler, who is averaging 20.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists, is potentially debilitating for an aging team and it just so happens that Golden State is one spot ahead of the Blazers in the Western Conference standings.
“Tough,” Splitter said of the injury. “I was watching the game. Just feel for him … a guy that puts so much work into his game and trying to help Golden State. So I feel bad. I know him well; good player, great friend."
Added Clingan: “Obviously, you never want to see something like that ... someone like Jimmy going down obviously sucks. We’re here to win and we’re here to do something special, so we’re just going to keep attacking every game with the same mindset.”