Heat Outrace Trail Blazers for 136-131 Win as Adebayo Sits Out Again
On Saturday night at Kaseya Center, the NBA’s two fastest-paced teams delivered an intense, back-and-forth contest that came down to the final moments. The Miami Heat, holding the league’s top pace ranking, edged out the Portland Trail Blazers in a thrilling 136-131 victory.
The game unfolded in bursts of fast surges rather than a steady pace, showcasing both teams’ speed and endurance. Despite missing key players Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro due to injury, Miami found ways to persevere.
Late-game contributions from Jaime Jaquez Jr., Norman Powell, and Andrew Wiggins secured the win, improving the Heat’s record to 6-4.
“Obviously our guys are getting pretty comfortable with it,” said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra about the fast pace. “I’m not putting the brakes on anybody who is trying to attack.”
Key Player Performances
- Nikola Jovic led the Heat with a career-high 29 points.
- Norman Powell added 22 points.
- Pelle Larsson contributed 16 points.
- Andrew Wiggins scored 15 points.
- Jaime Jaquez Jr. finished with 14 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists.
“It’s an offense where it can be anybody’s night,” said Jaquez. “Tonight, it was Niko.”
Jovic praised the style of play, emphasizing how the fast pace elevates every player’s performance.
“You can see the way it makes everybody look better,” he said.
Summary: The Miami Heat showcased resilience and depth by winning a fast-paced, high-scoring game despite key injuries, highlighting their growing comfort with an aggressive style of play.