Trail Blazers Slip By Heat

     The Miami Heat were edged by the Portland Trail Blazers 125-122 on Thursday night at American Airlines Arena. The Heat had their losing streak extended to five games and have a losing record for the first time since March 2. 

     Portland(26-18) pulled ahead 31-24 after one quarter and had a 59-58 edge at halftime. Miami(22-23) stuck with them and had the contest tied 91-91 at the end of three quarters. 

     The Heat scored 11 straight points, however the Trail Blazers matched it and scored 11 consecutive points to go up 111-110 with 3:48 left in the fourth. It came down to the final shot as Derrick Jones Jr. slammed the ball through the hoop on a three-point play with 13.9 seconds remaining for a 122-120 lead. Bam Adebayo made a layup underneath the basket to tie it up 122-122 with 10.8 seconds to go. Damian Lillard made three free throws with one second left. 

     Two Miami players fell short of a double-double. Adebayo had 29 points, nine rebounds and seven assists while Tyler Herro compiled 29 points along with eight assists. Kendrick Nunn was able to drop in 22 points. 

     Lillard put together 22 points and nine assists for the Trail Blazers. C.J. McCollum scored a game-high 35 points and Carmelo Anthony poured in 20 points. Enes Kanter had a double-double of 18 points and 16 rebounds.