The Miami Heat will face the Portland Trail Blazers on February 27 (Tuesday) at Moda Center. This will be the first meeting between the two teams this season. Miami will need to overcome the disadvantage of playing the second night in a row against the Blazers. The return of Jimmy Butler after a one-game suspension is good news for the Heat. Meanwhile, the Blazers are on the verge of finishing February without a win. Their last win was on January 31 against the Milwaukee Bucks. Since then, they have lost eight consecutive games, including a big loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday.
The Heat accounted for the absence of key players due to injuries or suspensions and defeated the Sacramento Kings 121-110 on Monday. Butler is expected to return, but Tyler Herro may still be out with a knee injury. Terry Rozier may also be cleared to play after spending the last few days doing pre-game warmups. Miami will look to extend its winning streak to five on Tuesday.
Preview
The Heat are raising their game when the stakes are high. Despite injuries and suspensions, they had little trouble defeating the Sacramento Kings. With this win, they moved up to sixth place in the Eastern Conference. If the Heat can hold on to this spot or move up in the standings, they will be guaranteed a playoff spot. If the Heat can beat the depleted Blazers, they can put some distance between themselves and the Indiana Pacers for the coveted spot.
The Portland Trail Blazers will be without Malcolm Brogdon, Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe on Tuesday. Their players will need to step up on both ends of the court or risk getting blown out by the Heat.
Starting lineup
Jimmy Butler and Caleb Martin will be starting for the Heat in the upcoming game. If Terry Rozier and Tyler Herro are cleared to play, they will get automatic starts. If not, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Delon Wright are likely to replace them. The Blazers will start with DeAndre Ayton, Jerami Grant, Anfernee Simons, Kris Murray and Toumani Camara.
Also Read: Charlotte Hornets vs. Milwaukee Bucks: Prediction (2024)
Prediction
The Miami Heat are playing well this season. Meanwhile, the Portland Trail Blazers are shortstaffed and have been listless for almost an entire month. Miami can move with another win and even beat the Blazers’ +7.0 spread.
