Aldridge has 24 and 12, Trail Blazers beat Heat 99-83

Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge, left, drives against Miami Heat center Chris Bosh during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015. (AP Photo/Don Ryan)

PORTLAND, Ore. -- LaMarcus Aldridge had 24 points and 12 rebounds, and the Portland Trail Blazers used a big third quarter to beat the Miami Heat 99-83 Thursday night.

Aldridge scored 10 points in the third, when the Blazers (28-8) outscored the Heat 33-16 to take control of the game.

Wesley Matthews had 18 points, Damian Lillard 16 and Chris Kaman 10 for Portland. The Blazers grabbed 28 rebounds in the second half and outrebounded Miami 50-42 overall.

Portland tied Golden State for most wins in the NBA this season.

Dwyane Wade led Miami with 23 points. Chris Boshhad 18 and Hassan Whiteside 10 for the Heat (15-21).

Miami led 48-43 at halftime after controlling most of the first half. The Heat's perimeter defense was particularly effective, limiting Portland to 2-of-14 shooting from 3-point range during the opening half.

Portland erased its deficit early in the third quarter, when a 14-1 run highlighted by three consecutive layups from Kaman gave the Blazers a 60-51 lead. Dorell Wright hit a fadeaway 18-footer at the buzzer to push Portland's lead to 74-62 heading into the fourth.

The Blazers broke it open early in the fourth, when Matthews and Allen Crabbe hit consecutive 3-pointers to key an 8-0 run that gave Portland a 86-69 lead. The Blazers led by as many as 23.

---

TIP-INS

Heat: G Shabazz Napier rejoined the Heat after playing three games with the Sioux Fall Skyforce of the NBA Development League. Napier averaged 18.6 points and four assists with the Skyforce. He was scoreless in 5 minutes against Portland. ... Also returning was C Justin Hamilton, who missed the past nine games because of a concussion.

Trail Blazers: Portland announced it has extended the contract of general manager Neil Olshey through the 2018-19 season. Olshey, hired in 2012, was also named president of basketball operations. ... The Blazers have held eight of their past 11 opponents to fewer than 100 points. Portland is 21-2 when opponents fail to reach 100 this season.

UP NEXT

Heat: Sunday at Los Angeles Clippers.

Trail Blazers: Saturday at home against Orlando.

Show comments