Heat Speed By Trail Blazers

     The Miami Heat held off the Portland Trail Blazers 106-96 on Tuesday night at Moda Center. The Heat have won six straight road games and will finish their six-game road swing with a rematch of last season's NBA Finals against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday. The Trail Blazers extended their losing streak to eight games and will end up with a losing record in 2023-24. 

     Portland(15-42) scored the first eight points of the game and was ahead 28-15 at the end of the first quarter. The Trail Blazers remained in front by halftime 56-46. 

     Miami(33-25) gained momentum in the second half. They went on a 31-15 run to start the half and led 80-76 after three quarters. Both clubs were tied 92-92 with 9:38 left in the fourth and then the Heat had a 19-8 spurt.

     Jimmy Butler returned to the Heat lineup following a one-game suspension and fell short of a double-double with 22 points and nine assists. Terry Rozier contributed 19 points, Duncan Robinson added 17 points and Bam Adebayo had 13 points along with nine rebounds. Jerami Grant led Portland with 24 points, seven rebounds and six assists.