----- Nikola Jovic scored a career-high 29 points and added nine rebounds and seven assists as the Miami Heat defeat the Portland Trail Blazers 136-131 Saturday night in Miami.
Trail Blazers come up short in Miami.
Nikola Jovic scored a career-best 29 points and Norman Powell added 22 as the Miami Heat dropped the Portland Trail Blazers to (5-4) with a 136-131 victory Saturday night at Kaseya Center in Miami.
The Trail Blazers built an early 15-3 lead, but Miami scored 45 points on 77% shooting in the second quarter and took a 72-65 lead into the locker room.
Miami took a 91-80 lead late in the third quarter, but Portland used a 15-6 run to cut the deficit to single digits. The Heat led by three heading into the fourth.
The game was tied at 123 with 3:25 to play. The Heat closed the game on a 13-8 run.
The Heat dished out 37 assists and were +7 in points off of turnovers.
Deni Avdija scored a game-high 33 points, Shaedon Sharpe added 21 points and nine rebounds, and Jerami Grant scored 18 before fouling out of the game.
Up Next- The Trail Blazers continue their five-game road trip Monday in Orlando against the Magic. The game is scheduled to tip off at 4:00 PM.
Chad's Take- Credit goes to the Heat. They out-executed the Trail Blazers on Saturday night.