It was a chilly night outside FTX Arena but Miami definitely brought “Heat” inside on Wednesday night. After a hard-fought battle between Miami and the Portland Trail Blazers, the Heat were able to hit clutch shots and grab key rebounds to become victorious.
Recap
After a questionable and early ejection of Jimmy Butler, the Heat were able to join forces (on Star Wars Night at the arena) to secure the win by 12 points after a slow start and slow third quarter. The Heat ramped it up in the fourth quarter by scoring 26 points and holding the Trail Blazers to a game-low 12 points in the crucial quarter.
Coming back from a serious injury, Heat forward Bam Adebayo showed up in a huge way. He scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds throughout the game. Shooting Guard Caleb Martin was hot from the floor and finished with 26 points off the bench for Miami. The Heat had five players in double figures, including Adebayo, Martin, Strus, Dedmon, and Vincent.
Portland took a two-point lead, 80-78, heading into the fourth quarter but Miami’s strong defense kept them in check. Guards CJ McCollum and Anfernee Simmons had great shooting nights for the Blazers but could not make their shots when it mattered most. McCollum finished with 24 while Simmons shot through the net 27 points.
Up Next
The Miami Heat go on a one-game road trip to Atlanta to take on the soaring Hawks and Trae Young. After that, Miami will come back home for four straight home games; The Lakers, Knicks, Clippers and Raptors all visit South Beach.
Miami sits at a record of 29-16, percentage points behind the Chicago Bulls for first place in the Eastern Conference. Look for Miami to continue its winning ways as they have won six out of their last seven games.
(Featured image by Jasen Vinlove, USA TODAY Sports/Reuters)