Heat’s Three-Point Barrage Sinks Shorthanded Trail Blazers in Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. — Tyler Herro scored 32 points, including seven 3-pointers, to lead the Miami Heat to a 119-98 victory over the shorthanded Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on Saturday night. The Heat’s sharpshooting from beyond the arc proved decisive, as they connected on 19 of 44 attempts (43%) compared to Portland’s 13 of 45 (28%).

Miami, playing without Jimmy Butler due to a team suspension, extended its winning streak to three games. Herro, now the focal point of the Heat’s offense, showcased his scoring prowess, while Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 21 points and eight rebounds off the bench. The Heat led by as many as 20 points in the first half before Portland mounted a third-quarter comeback behind Anfernee Simons‘ 17-point outburst.

Simons finished with a team-high 28 points, including a stretch of aggressive drives to the basket that earned him his first free-throw attempts in three games. Despite his efforts, the Trail Blazers couldn’t overcome Miami’s offensive efficiency, which included 31 assists and a relentless barrage of 3-pointers.

“We knew we had to step up without Jimmy,” Herro said after the game. “Our ball movement and trust in each other made the difference tonight.”

Portland, missing key players Jerami Grant, Robert Williams III, and Deandre Ayton, struggled to match Miami’s firepower. The Blazers’ defense, anchored by Donovan Clingan and Toumani Camara, showed flashes of resilience but couldn’t contain the Heat’s perimeter shooting. Miami’s screening action and unselfish play created open looks, while Portland’s offense often relied on contested shots.

“We fought hard, but their shooting was just too much,” said Blazers coach Chauncey Billups. “We made some adjustments in the third quarter, but we need to be more consistent.”

The Heat’s 13 first-half 3-pointers set the tone, with Jaquez and Nikola Jovic hitting back-to-back triples to extend the lead. Miami’s bench outscored Portland’s reserves 45-25, further highlighting the disparity in depth.

Portland’s young core, including Kris Murray and Deni Avdija, showed promise, particularly on defense. Murray’s aggressive play and full-court pressure stood out, while Avdija’s versatility in a small-ball lineup provided glimpses of potential. However, the Blazers’ 16 turnovers and lack of offensive cohesion ultimately proved costly.

The Heat will face the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday, while the Trail Blazers host the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday. Both teams will look to build on the lessons learned from Saturday’s matchup.