THE Portland Path Blazers On Saturday evening, 5 younger gamers began in opposition to the Miami Warmth.
Anfernée Simons, Shaedon SharpeDeni Avdija, Toumani Camara and Donovan Clingan fashioned a gaggle that may very well be a part of the staff’s long-term plans.
The roster confirmed promise enjoying collectively, however could not maintain tempo with a middling Jap Convention staff with out its finest participant, suspended All-Star Jimmy Butler.
Led by Tyler Herro’s 32 factors, the Warmth gained 119-98 on the Moda Middle.
Simons led the Blazers with 28 factors, together with 17 within the third quarter. However he solely scored three within the fourth, the place the Blazers have been held to fifteen.
The important thing stats have been three-point taking pictures. The Warmth shot 43.2% from three-point vary (19 of 44) in comparison with 28.9% for the Blazers (13 of 45).
The Blazers confirmed dramatic defensive enchancment throughout their current 2-3 street journey, posting a 113.6 defensive score in comparison with December’s 124.4 score.
Blazers coach Chauncey Billups acknowledged the staff’s enchancment forward of Saturday evening’s sport, however added that the Blazers nonetheless have a variety of work to do in that space.
The Warmth pressed that time in 48 minutes.
Miami Warmth guard Terry Rozier (2) drives to the basket whereas Portland Path Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe, proper, defends throughout the first half of an NBA basketball sport, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 , in Portland, Oregon (AP Picture/Amanda Loman)APP.A.
The Blazers briefly led by 5 factors within the first quarter earlier than being dominated the remainder of the best way because the Warmth took a 66-48 lead into halftime.
Miami shot 13 of 27 (48.1%) from three-point vary within the first half, together with 9 of 13 within the second quarter.
“Clearly their taking pictures was elite in that first half,” Billups stated.
The Warmth’s 31 assists helped their taking pictures.
“Their ball motion actually damage us,” Billups stated.
The Blazers, nonetheless, got here out scorching within the third quarter. Led by Simons’ 17 factors, they discovered themselves at 70-67. However the Warmth got here again sturdy to go up 94-83 on the finish of the quarter.
The Blazers closed to 100-93 earlier than Herro related on a deep three-pointer. Seconds later, heart Bam Adebayo scored on an alley-oop dunk to provide the Warmth a 105-93 lead with 3:59 left.
“We dug ourselves too deep a gap twice,” Billups stated.
The Warmth continued to increase their lead from there whereas the Blazers shot 21.7% within the quarter.
Sharpe scored 22 factors with 5 assists and Avdija completed with 15 factors and 12 rebounds.
Herro made 11 of twenty-two from the sphere and seven of 14 from three-point vary to succeed in 32 factors. Adebayo had 13 factors, 11 rebounds and 6 assists.
Miami Warmth guard Tyler Herro (14) drives previous Portland Path Blazers heart Donovan Clingan (23) throughout the first half of an NBA basketball sport, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Picture/Amanda Loman) APP.A.
WHAT THIS MEANS
The Blazers (13-25) returned from a robust street journey solely to fall brief in opposition to the Warmth (20-17), who discovered themselves tied for sixth within the Jap Convention with the Indiana Pacers (21-18).
INJURIES
Robert Williams III (sickness) and Deandre Ayton (left calf soreness) didn’t play. Clingan began rather than Ayton and scored eight factors with 10 rebounds and two blocked photographs in 27 minutes.
FOLLOWING
The Blazers host the Brooklyn Nets (13-25) Tuesday at 7 p.m.
–Aaron Fentress | [email protected] | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Fb)
