Deni Avdija scored 41 points in the last game against the Houston Rockets and took 15 free throw shots, making 13 of them. This prompted Tari Eason of accusing the Portland Trailblazers of having the referees on his side by using “zebra”.
Zebra is a replacement for the referees who wear striped black and white uniforms.
Tari on what makes Deni hard to defend:
“Zebras (3x)” 😂 pic.twitter.com/YxSZjIPn0X
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) January 8, 2026
Avdija has been accused all-season long of getting a better whistle compared to other stars as he makes his case to make to his first ever All-Star Game. He is second in the league in free throws attempt with 9.9, behind Los Angeles Lakers’ Luka Doncic 12 per game.
He has higher total compared to MVP level players Giannis Antetokounmpo and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The Israeli player is the Blazers’ top scorer with 26.1 points per game.
Deni Avdija explains his FT attempts
The 2020 9th overall pick put it simply why he is getting free throws more than other guys.
“I don’t shy away from contact. I’m going downhill. I don’t care who’s in front of me, I’m going straight through him. I don’t play for those fouls, but I’m going to get fouled. It’s a part of the game,” he said after their second straight win over Rockets where he scored 20 points.
“I can’t control it. I’m very aggressive. I initiate the contact, and that’s my game. I’m just saying, if it’s hard to stop, you’ve got to own it or do something else. But I’m very humble, I work hard and I make the right play every time.”
Credit: Getty Images
He also addressed Eason’s comments about the way he is officiated.
“I wouldn’t say it was an excuse, it was just … [Eason] was emotional after the game, so I didn’t take it like that. I’ve been emotional after losses, too, so I get it. But it’s fun that we overcame it.”
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