The Miami Heat and Portland Trail Blazers are set to face each other for the second time since Damian Lillard expressed his desire to be traded specifically to Miami. However, Lillard is now with the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Blazers are entering a rebuilding phase. The Heat have remained relatively unchanged, making minor moves such as trading Kyle Lowry’s expiring contract for Terry Rozier (subsequently bought out).
Rozier’s performance with Miami has been underwhelming, averaging 15.5 points on 41% shooting and a concerning 29% from three-point range. The Heat have also struggled, posting an 11-14 record in games Rozier has played, and currently find themselves at 39-33, facing the play-in tournament for the second consecutive year.
Considering the circumstances, Miami is expected to be the stronger team in this matchup. Portland is likely to be without many of their veteran players, including Shaedon Sharpe, who is recovering from an abdominal injury. On the other hand, Miami appears to be closer to full strength compared to recent games. Portland will also miss Toumani Camara, who was a standout player in their recent loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
Dalano Banton of the Blazers has shown promise, averaging 22 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1.3 steals over his last four games. He will have an opportunity to prove himself in the NBA, particularly if he can maintain his shooting efficiency of around 35% from beyond the arc. Scoot Henderson will also gain more experience adjusting to the speed and athleticism of the NBA game. However, beyond these individual developments, the game is unlikely to hold much significance, as it mainly involves a lottery-bound team (Portland) and a franchise (Miami) aiming to defy the odds for a second consecutive year with a deep playoff run.
The game between the Portland Trail Blazers (19-54) and the Miami Heat (39-33) is scheduled for Friday, March 29 at 5:00 PM Pacific Time. It can be watched on Root Sports and NBA League Pass.
In terms of injuries, Deandre Ayton and Matisse Thybulle are questionable for the Trail Blazers, while Jerami Grant is doubtful. Malcolm Brogdon, Toumani Camara, Shaedon Sharpe, Anfernee Simons, and Robert Williams III are all ruled out. For the Heat, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kevin Love, Jimmy Butler, and Caleb Martin are probable, while Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson will not be available.
It’s worth noting that Tyler Herro expressed dissatisfaction with the reporting surrounding his injury, responding sarcastically on social media. The Miami Heat have been reliant on Kevin Love despite his limited playing time this season. Love’s absence has negatively impacted the team’s performance against playoff contenders, leading to defeats against the Pelicans and Warriors. The Heat have faced difficulties in their interior offense due to opponents deploying zone defenses and have struggled with three-point shooting in Love’s absence.
The Athletic’s William Guillory provides insights into Heat rookie Jaimie Jaquez Jr. and his embodiment of “Heat Culture.” Jaquez Jr. has demonstrated a strong work ethic and dedication to improvement, aligning with the principles of relentless work and accountability emphasized by the Miami Heat organization.