At the Kaseya Center on Tuesday, the Portland Trail Blazers seemed ready to start their three-game trip by dominating the Miami Heat.
Rather, they jumped out to a 27-point lead, watched the Heat come roaring back to within seven, and finally held on to win 116-107.
Ten days earlier, on a night when the Heat shot 43.2% from three-point range and the Blazers only made 28.9% of their shots while committing 17 turnovers, the Heat had defeated the Blazers 119-98 in the Moda Center.
On Tuesday, everything changed.
The Blazers dominated the Heat for roughly 40 minutes, shot incredibly well for the majority of the game, took good care of the ball, and recorded 26 assists, many of which came from alley-oop dunks.
However, in the fourth quarter, things got risky. After falling behind 108-86 at 8:38, the Heat went on a 19-4 rally to cut the Blazers’ lead to 112-105 with 1:58 left. That was the closest the Heat would ever go to making a comeback.
Coach Chauncey Billups of the Blazers told reporters, “I just thought we were really locked in all game.” Together, we played really well. The ball was shared by us. We supported one another defensively. The degree of communication was high. We conversed. We played so hard that we were able to hide our faults even when we made them.
After shooting 49.4% from the field, the Blazers made 43.8% of their three-point tries (14 of 32) in the first three quarters before struggling in the fourth quarter (1 of 11) to end at 34.9%.
Portland concluded the game with eight points, four of which came in the fourth quarter to boost Miami’s surge. They did not commit a turnover in the first half. The Blazers have committed the second-fewest turnovers in a game, after the six they gave up in a 103-97 loss to the Phoenix Suns on November 2.
On Tuesday, January 21, 2025, in Miami, Portland Trail Blazers player Jerami Grant, left, fouls Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler, 22 during the first half of an NBA basketball game. (Photo by Lynne Sladky/AP) APAP
Anfernee Simons led the Blazers with 24 points against the Heat after only scoring 24 points in his previous three games. His three-point shooting percentage was 6 out of 12.
According to Billups, Ant was good all night.
The centerDeandre Ayton scored 15 rebounds and scored 22 points.Scoot Henderson started in place of Toumani Camara due to illness and finished with 11 points and eight assists. Jerami Grant scored eighteen more points.
According to Billups, “I believed that Scoot’s intent and pressure on the paint opened Ant up and it opened Jerami up.”
Miami scored seven of nine three-pointers in the first quarter, putting the Blazers behind ten points.
“We persevered,” Billups remarked. Poor defense wasn’t what we were playing. They were simply shooting well. We were present.
The Blazers defeated the Heat 27–17 in the second quarter, leading 61–55 at the half.
In the second quarter, the Heat missed all 12 of their three-point attempts while missing Tyler Herro, who finished with 32 points against Portland.
The Blazers took advantage of the Heat’s continued poor three-point shooting (2 of 10) in the third quarter, making five of ten threes to take a 27-point lead. Portland maintained their lead to win the game, leading 97-77 going into the last quarter.
Ayton stated, “I believe it was primarily our defensive end.” Just having fun and keeping each other responsible.
By collecting defensive rebounds and sprinting down the court, the Blazers consistently outscored the Heat, scoring 21 fastbreak points to their five.
Duncan Robinson scored 22 points to lead the Heat. Kel a Ware, the center, contributed 15 rebounds and 20 points.
IMPORTANCE OF IT
For the third time this season, the Blazers (15-28) have won two straight games. With a victory at Orlando on Thursday, they might tie their longest run of the season (three).
Since their victory at the Blazers, the Heat (21-21) have dropped four of their last five games.
UPCOMING
The Blazers will play the Orlando Magic on Thursday at 4 p.m. to continue their three-game journey.
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Aaron J. Fentress | [email protected]|@AaronJFentress (Facebook), @AaronFentress (Instagram), and @AaronJFentress (Twitter)
