----- Jimmy Butler finished with 20 points and five assists as the Miami Heat defeat the Portland Trail Blazers 107-98 Sunday night at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon.
Bam Adebayo scored 22 points and Jimmy Butler finished with 20 points and five assists as the Miami Heat handed the Portland Trail Blazers a 107-98 defeat Sunday night at Moda Center.
The Heat controlled the game with their defense by taking both Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum out of the game by blitzing the pick and roll and throwing a number of different looks at the Blazers dynamic duo.
Lillard finished with just 12 points on 3-of-10 shooting while McCollum scored 17 on 7-of-18 shooting.
Miami's pressure forced 17 Blazers' turnovers leading to 28 points for the Heat.
''We were just trying to really hone in on defense. We just really felt with this team that's how you win,'' Adebayo said. ''We were able to get stops and get into transition and get a few dunks. That's why we won by a lot.''
Blazers Coach Terry Stotts indicated his team may have been feeling the effects of playing the second of a back-to-back after facing Detroit on Saturday night.
''To be honest, I thought we looked a step slow and they looked like a rested team,'' he said. ''I don't say that very often.''
The Blazers started the game hot taking a 20-11 lead, but the Heat responded by cutting the deficit to 31-25 by the end of the first quarter. The Heat took control of the game outscoring the Blazers 64-40 between the second and third quarter.
Up Next- The Portland Trail Blazers will host the Boston Celtics Tuesday night at Moda Center. The game is scheduled to tip off at 7:00 PM.
Chad's Take- Trail Blazers heading in the wrong direction at the wrong time.