Heat outpace Trail Blazers for 136-131 victory, as Adebayo again sits

Heat Outpace Trail Blazers for 136-131 Victory

The NBA's two fastest teams by pace faced off Saturday night at Kaseya Center in a thrilling contest that went down to the wire, with the Miami Heat emerging victorious over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Both teams exhibited bursts of energy rather than a constant speed, reflecting their reputation as the league's quickest squads, with Miami ranked No. 1 and Portland close behind.

Despite missing key players Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro due to injuries, the Heat managed to secure the win thanks to crucial late-game points from Jaime Jaquez Jr., Norman Powell, and Andrew Wiggins, finishing the game 136-131 and improving their record to 6-4.

“Obviously our guys are getting pretty comfortable with it,” said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra about the new fast-paced style. “I’m not putting the brakes on anybody who is trying to attack.”

Nikola Jovic led Miami with a career-high 29 points, supported by Powell’s 22, Pelle Larsson’s 16, Wiggins’ 15, and Jaquez contributing 14 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 assists.

“It’s an offense where it can be anybody’s night,” Jaquez said. “Tonight, it was Niko.”

Jovic credited the team’s up-tempo style for his standout performance, noting, “You can see the way it makes everybody look better.”

Key Players' Performance

Nikola Jovic: 29 points (career high)
Norman Powell: 22 points
Pelle Larsson: 16 points
Andrew Wiggins: 15 points
Jaime Jaquez Jr.: 14 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists

Game Summary

The Heat maintained their top spot in pace and adapted well despite absences, using well-timed surges to outscore the Trail Blazers and claim a hard-fought win.

Summary: Miami’s fast-paced offense overcame injuries to key players, led by Nikola Jovic’s career night, securing a close 136-131 victory over Portland.

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Sun Sentinel — 2025-11-09