The Portland Trail Blazers appeared set to start their three-game trip by blowing out the Miami Heat Tuesday night at the Kaseya Center.
Instead, they built a 27-point lead and then watched the Heat storm back to within seven before ultimately holding on to win 116-107.
Just 10 days prior, the Heat won 119-98 at the Moda Center on a night when the Heat shot 43.2% from three-point range and the Blazers hit on just 28.9% while committing 17 turnovers.
That all changed on Tuesday.
The Blazers shot extremely well for most of the game, took care of the ball, racked up 26 assists – many coming via alley-oop dunks – and pretty much ran the Heat ragged for about 40 minutes.
However, things became dicey in the fourth quarter. With 8:38 on the clock, the Heat, trailing 108-86, went on a 19-4 run to trim the Blazers’ lead to 112-105 with 1:58 remaining. That turned out to be the closest the Heat would get to pulling off a comeback.
“I just thought all game we were really locked in,” Blazers coach Chauncey Billups told reporters. “We played so well together. We shared the ball. Defensively, we helped each other. The communication was high level. We talked. Even when we made mistakes, we played so hard that we were able to cover up for it.”
The Blazers, who shot 49.4% from the field, hit 43.8% of their three-point attempts (14 of 32) through three quarters before going cold in the fourth quarter (1 of 11) to finish at 34.9%.
Portland did not commit a turnover in the first half and finished the night with eight; four came in the fourth quarter to help fuel Miami’s run. That’s the second-fewest number of turnovers the Blazers have committed in a game, trailing the six coughed up on Nov. 2 during a 103-97 loss at the Phoenix Suns.
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) is fouled by Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) APAP
Anfernee Simons responded to scoring just 24 points over his previous three games by matching that number to lead the Blazers with 24 against the Heat. He went 6 of 12 from three-point range.
“Ant was good all night,” Billups said.
Center Deandre Ayton scored 22 points with 15 rebounds. Scoot Henderson had 11 points with eight assists starting in place of Toumani Camara (illness). Jerami Grant added 18 points.
“I thought Scoot’s intention and pressure on the paint opened Ant up and it opened up Jerami,” Billups said.
The Blazers fell behind by 10 points in the first quarter, where Miami made 7 of 9 threes.
“We hung in there,” Billups said. “We weren’t playing poor defense. They just were making good shots. We were there.”
The Heat went cold in the second quarter, won by the Blazers 27-17 to go up 61-55 at halftime.
The Heat, playing without Tyler Herro, who scored 32 points at Portland, missed all 12 of their three-point shots in the second quarter.
The Heat continued to struggle shooting from beyond the arc in the third quarter (2 of 10), and the Blazers took advantage, making 5 of 10 threes to build a 27-point lead. Portland led 97-77 entering the final quarter, where they held on to win.
“I think it was our defensive end mainly,” Ayton said. “Just playing together and holding each other accountable.”
The Blazers continuously outran the Heat, grabbing defensive rebounds and racing down the court to put up 21 fastbreak points compared to five for the Heat.
Duncan Robinson led the Heat with 22 points. Center Kel’el Ware added 20 points and 15 rebounds.
WHAT IT MEANS
The Blazers (15-28) are on a two-game winning streak for only the third time this season. They could match their longest run of the season (three) with a win Thursday at Orlando.
The Heat (21-21) have lost four out of five since winning at the Blazers.
NEXT UP
The Blazers continue their three-game trip with a 4 p.m. game Thursday at the Orlando Magic.
— Aaron Fentress | [email protected] | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)
