To stay in the right place in the rankings, the Heat couldn't afford to drop a game at home against the Blazers. Except that Portlandguided by Anfernee Simons (24 points) and Deandre Ayton (22 points, 15 rebounds), was not in the mood to serve him an easy victory on a plate and, without Tyler Herro, the evening ended badly for Miami.
In the first half, the game is generally balanced (61-55) but we feel one team is more comfortable and more liberated than the other. In this case it is the Blazers, ahead in the score and who can count on the Anfernee Simons – Deandre Ayton axis, untenable behind the arc and in the racket. Also very clean with the ball in hand, they seriously hamper the Heat, who must mainly trust Bam Adebayo and Duncan Robinson, in different registers, to avoid finding themselves dropped against a team that loves to push the pace offensively.
After the break, things continued to get worse in Miami. While nothing is working on the Floridian side, on each side (but mainly at 3-points), Portland mainly lines up baskets in all directions, alternating perfectly between inside and outside play, to bring it to more than twenty points. the gap (97-77).
A real demonstration of collective strength from Chauncey Billups' players, who will push his counterpart Erik Spoelstra to quickly remove his starters, and therefore let his youngsters try to pick up the score.
In vain, ultimately, since despite an unexpected “run” of 19-4 in the last minutes initiated by Duncan Robinson, the Blazers held on to obtain this logical and well-deserved victory (116-107), building from the third quarter. For the Heat, the roller coaster never ends…
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Portland can also seduce. The Blazers' season is, of course, already over sportingly, but the most important thing for this young team will be to use the next three months to prepare for the next one. In this case, it will be important to repeat successful performances of this kind more regularly. Which Chauncey Billups can obviously rejoice in this evening, as his men showed great things apart from this sequence in the last quarter undoubtedly linked to a slight relaxation. Despite everything, they were able to stay the course and validate this success which, in their minds, will bring a nice boost to the whole group.
– Change of five in Miami. In addition to the addition of Terry Rozier in place of the injured Tyler Herro, the Heat presented themselves with a new kid, much younger, in the person of Kel'el Ware. Very good against San Antonio on Sunday, the rookie was therefore promoted to the starting position by Erik Spoelstra replacing Haywood Highsmith and he seduced once again (20 points, 15 rebounds), despite beginner's errors and others linked to his physical still frail. Enough to constitute the new generation “Twin Towers” alongside Bam Adebayo, even if the strategy did not pay off this time in front of Deandre Ayton and others.
– Bam Adebayo and Erik Spoelstra honored. Crowned Olympic champions this summer in Paris, the captain and coach of the Heat were in the spotlight before the game. For the occasion, Grant Hill, the big boss of Team USA, was even present and they were given a ring to remind them that they brought back gold from France last August. To the great dismay of all French supporters…
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
