Tonight, the Miami Heat visit the Portland Trail Blazers at the Rose Garden Arena in Portland. This is the only matchup between the two teams this season.
Miami had won eight straight games prior to the All-star break, and is coming off a 102-88 victory over the New York Knicks last week. This is the first game of a three game Western Conference swing, continuing on to face the Utah Jazz on Friday, and the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.
The Blazers visited the Denver Nuggets last night. Tonight is the first game of a three game homestand. They host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday and the New Orleans Hornets on Monday.
Miami is 12-5 on the road, Portland is 13-5 at home.
The teams last faced each other on March 8th, last year in Miami, with the Blazers earning a 105-96 victory. LaMarcus Aldridge led six Blazers in double figures with 26, including Gerald Wallace off the bench, who scored 22 with nine rebounds. Dwayne Wade led all scorers with 38 points, along with six rebounds, five assists, and two blocked shots. LeBron James narrowly missed a triple double, scoring 31 with 11 rebounds and eight assists. Miami coach Erik Spoelstra spoke after the game about Miami's fifth consecutive loss, their longest such streak of the season,
"Frankly, we don't have a lot of answers how to get over this hump. The only thing we can do is keep grinding and not let go of the rope."
Miami Heat vs Portland Trailblazers - NBA Full Highlights - March 8,2011 (via Pete75227)
Miami beat the New York Knicks in Miami just prior to the All-Star break, 102-88. Chris Bosh led the Heat with 25 points and eight rebounds, Dwyane Wade added 22 points with five rebounds and five assists, and LeBron James pitched in 20 with nine rebounds and eight assists. Carmelo Anthony led five Knicks in double figures with 19 points. Spoelstra spoke later about limiting Jeremy Lin to eight points on one-of-11 shooting with eight turnovers,
"It's not a specific plan. What we wanted to do was treat him with the adequate respect he deserves."
New York Knicks vs Miami Heat Highlights 2/23/2012 (via billingshmin)
The Trail Blazers visited the Denver Nuggets last night, dropping a 104-95 decision. Jamal Crawford led five Blazers in double figures with 21 points, including 5-of-9 from outside, along with five rebounds and five assists, while LaMarcus Aldridge pitched in 20 points and nine rebounds in the loss. Ty Lawson led seven Nuggets in double figures with 18 points along with nine assists. Four players grabbed at least nine rebounds in a remarkable show of balance throughout Denver's roster.
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Standings
Miami: 27-7, first in the Southeast Division, first in the Eastern Conference, second in the NBA, on pace for 52-14. Last five: W-W-W-W-W
Portland Trail Blazers: 18-17, tied for third in the Northwest Division, tied for ninth in the Western Conference, tied for 15th in the NBA, on pace for 34-32. Last five: L-W-L-W-L
Season series: 0-0
All-time series: Portland, 32-14
GameTime: 10:30 ET