The Miami Heat earned their 33rd victory of the season with a 106-96 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Heat were not at full strength in the victory. Tyler Herro missed his second straight game after his knee scare; no structural damage was found but the Heat kept Herro out as a precaution. The Heat did see Terry Rozier return from injury in the contest. Jimmy Butler and Nikola Jovic also returned to the lineup after both missing the prior game due to suspension.
Rozier Makes Impact
Coach Erik Spoelstra spoke postgame about what having Terry Rozier, who scored 19 points, grabbed four rebounds, and dished out four assists, back in the lineup means for the team.
“He has an ability to break the defense down, or at least get a defense to overreact,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “When you have multiple guys who are weapons like that, it’s good for your offense. I also really respect how much time he put into this to be able to get back and fast-track this.”
#WINNING vibes only ???? pic.twitter.com/6FEdKPAGBk
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) February 28, 2024
Rozier, who also recorded a steal and two blocks in the contest, credited the Heat’s medical staff for getting him ready to return from his knee injury during his postgame media session.
“Just really no vacation for the (All-Star) break, trying to get back, putting in 2- or 3-a-days at a time. But I feel good. Credit to the medical staff, they did a great job of making sure I’m back and making sure I’m really fully healthy, making sure we didn’t rush nothing. I’m happy to be back.”
Jimmy Butler’s Return
Jimmy Butler led the way for the Heat with 22 points on 7-for-12 shooting. Butler knocked down 1-for-2 from behind the three-point line. He knocked down 7-for-9 from the free-throw line. Butler grabbed four rebounds, dished out nine assists, recorded four steals, and blocked two shots.
Jimmy had quite the return to the floor, filling up the stat sheet and taking over the game when we needed it the most ???? pic.twitter.com/fY5OlRMjrE
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) February 28, 2024
More Heat Contributions
- Duncan Robinson scored 17 points, grabbed three rebounds, dished out three assists, and recorded two steals.
- Bam Adebayo scored 13 points, grabbed three rebounds, dished out three assists, and recorded two steals.
Terry got to his spots, knocked down shots, and caught fire in the 4th Q to help seal this one pic.twitter.com/lhIq3p1cdv
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) February 28, 2024
The Heat travel to Denver, Colorado to face the Denver Nuggets on Thursday, 2/29. Tip-off from Ball Arena is at 10 p.m. Eastern/ 8 p.m. Mountain time.
