LeBron James failed to score at least 20 points for the first time in 34 games this season as the Miami Heat were defeated by the Portland Trail Blazers 92-90 on Thursday night at Rose Garden. The Heat dropped their record to 7-8 on the road this season and they have lost the first two games of a six-game road trip. In addition, they've lost five of their last eight games overall.
Neither team had more than a four-point lead throughout most of the first quarter. Miami(23-11) knocked down 10 straight points to lead 18-12 at 3:26 and were up 21-18 after one quarter. Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and James scored the first 23 points for the Heat in the first half. After giving up a Portland(20-15) three-pointer to begin the second quarter, the Heat pounded through with a 18-6 run to go up 39-27 at 5:22. Miami finished the first half on an 8-1 edge to lead 52-39 at halftime.
The Trail Blazers pulled off a 14-7 spurt at the end of the third quarter and were behind 68-63 after the period. Miami opened the fourth quarter on a 9-3 edge and moved the margin up to double digits. Portland tied the game 82-82 at 4:03 with 10 straight points to complete a 14-2 run. Wesley Matthews stroked in the go-ahead three-point shot from the right side with 26 seconds left for a Blazers 91-90 lead.
Wade nailed 18 points in 35 minutes for the Heat. James got his 18th double-double this season with 15 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in 43 minutes while Bosh had 29 points in 39 minutes. Ray Allen came off the bench with 15 points in 29 minutes.
Nicolas Batum led the Blazers with 28 points and seven rebounds in 42 minutes of play. Damian Lillard contributed 10 points and eight assists in 41 minutes while LaMarcus Aldridge added a double-double with 20 points and 15 rebounds in 42 minutes. Matthews, whose father Wes Matthews once played in the NBA, poured in 18 points.
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