Trail Blazers @ Heat Game Thread
After taking care of business against the Magic, the Trail Blazers have won six consecutive road games but face the daunting task of playing the Heat on the second half of a back-to-back. Miami has lost five of six, including four straight and their lone win coming against the Wizards at home. After losing yet another game in the 4th quarter to the Bulls on Sunday, there were rumblings that the Heat players were crying after their latest setback. Now this could go one of two ways for Portland. The first: Miami could be in a state of emergency and if Portland brings it hard early on, Miami will falter. The second: Miami may want to send a message to the basketball world and come out playing with a purpose.
Nearly two months ago to the day, the Trail Blazers let a 7-point lead slip their grasp during the final two minutes at the Rose Garden. Had Bosh not been there at every opportune time with a mid-range bucket (9-17), the outcome may have been different. If PDX can find a way to shut down one of the Big 3 and force Miami's role players to beat them, the odds of a Blazer win skyrocket. LA needs to play like the superstar he is and watch for Andre Miller to be the X-Factor. Chalmers, nor Bibby, can handle him the post. If we can get two guys going down low and the shooters bring their A-game, Portland walks away victorious.
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