Trail Blazers Beat Heat 116-107 Behind Strong Performances from Simons and Ayton

The Portland Trail Blazers delivered a statement win on Tuesday night, defeating the Miami Heat 116-107 at the Kaseya Center. The victory marked a stark contrast to their last visit to Miami on March 29, when they suffered a humiliating 60-point defeat.

Portland’s success was fueled by a balanced offensive effort. Anfernee Simons led the charge with 24 points, while Deandre Ayton dominated the paint with 22 points and 15 rebounds. Jerami Grant contributed 18 points, and Deni Avdija added 16 off the bench. Shaedon Sharpe finished with 12 points, and rookies Scoot Henderson and Dalano Banton chipped in 11 apiece.

The Blazers took control of the game in the third quarter, using a 21-8 run to extend their lead to 86-63. Ayton scored eight points during the surge, which proved pivotal in securing the win.

Despite playing without their leading scorer Tyler Herro (groin tightness), the Heat fought valiantly. Rookie Kel’el Ware shined with 20 points and 16 rebounds, showcasing his potential as a future cornerstone. Duncan Robinson led Miami with 22 points, while Jimmy Butler added 13.

The Heat struggled from beyond the arc, going cold after hitting five of their first seven 3-pointers. They missed 19 consecutive attempts before Ware finally ended the drought late in the third quarter. A 19-4 run in the fourth gave Miami a glimmer of hope, cutting the deficit to 112-105 with under two minutes left, but Portland held firm. Grant’s three clutch free throws in the final minute sealed the win.

Portland played one of their cleanest games of the season, not committing a single turnover until Scoot Henderson’s errant pass with 8:11 left in the third quarter. This marked the first time the Blazers played a turnover-free half since January 16, 2019, against Cleveland.

Miami’s shooting woes from deep were a major issue. After a hot start from three-point range, their extended drought hampered any chance of a comeback.

Jerami Grant’s 3-pointer and Ayton’s layup in the final minute of the first half gave Portland a 61-55 lead, which they never relinquished. The Blazers’ third-quarter surge, fueled by their 6-of-12 shooting from beyond the arc, helped build their largest lead of the game at 92-65.

The Trail Blazers (15-28) will continue their road trip with a game in Orlando on Thursday night. The Heat (21-21) will look to bounce back when they visit Milwaukee, also on Thursday night. Portland’s victory serves as a testament to their growth and resilience, while Miami will need to regroup as they await Herro’s return.

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