Nikola Jovic scored a career-high 29 points off the bench, adding nine rebounds and seven assists, as the Miami Heat edged the Portland Trail Blazers 136-131 on Saturday night at Kaseya Center.
Jovic’s performance fueled a balanced scoring attack that included 22 points from Norman Powell, 16 from Pelle Larsson, 15 from Andrew Wiggins, and a 14-point, 12-rebound, seven-assist effort from Jaime Jaquez Jr. Kel’el Ware contributed 12 rebounds for Miami.
The Heat overcame an early 15-3 deficit to take a 72-65 lead into halftime, despite missing starting center Bam Adebayo for a second straight game with a sprained left big toe. Miami improved to 6-4 overall and 4-0 at home this season.
Portland was led by Deni Avdija, who scored 33 points, with Shaedon Sharpe adding 21, and Jrue Holiday and Jerami Grant contributing 18 apiece. The Trail Blazers fell to 5-4 and began a five-game road trip with the loss.
The fourth quarter featured a back-and-forth battle with neither team leading by more than four points until the final moments. Holiday’s three-pointer with 3:26 left tied the game at 123-all before Wiggins hit a go-ahead triple with 1:32 remaining.
Miami held Portland scoreless for the final possessions, finishing the game strong to secure their fourth consecutive home win. Jovic’s career-high outing marked a personal best, topping his previous 24-point game.
Miami will host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday, while Portland continues its road trip against the Orlando Magic.
