NBA: Trail Blazers overcame Deni Avdija’s absence to beat Hawks

PORTLAND, Oregon — Shaedon Sharpe scored 24 points and the Portland Trail Blazers overcame high-scoring Deni Avdija’s absence to beat the Atlanta Hawks 117-101 in the NBA on Thursday night. Avdija missed second straight game because of lower-back soreness. He’s averaging 26.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 6.9 assists. Portland took an 88-87 lead into the