Winners in two of their last three, the Portland Trail Blazers (10-10) hope to build some momentum ahead of a five-game road trip when they welcome the Miami Heat (6-12) to Moda Center on Saturday night. The matchup is the first of a pair of meetings between the two sides this season as the home team claimed victory in both encounters during the 2015-16 campaign.
The Blazers come into Saturday's game on two days rest following a 131-109 win over the Indiana Pacers Wednesday in Portland. Six players recorded double-digit point totals in the victory over Indiana, led by Damian Lillard's 28 points and 10 assists. Though the Blazers' 131 points were a season high, an improved defense is what Terry Stotts' team is looking to build upon Saturday against Miami.
"More than anything else, I think it's our mindset," Stotts said of Portland's defensive improvement. "The mindset coming into the game, in the first quarter, that was our best defensive first quarter of the season by points. I think that's certainly a key for us: getting off to a good defensive start and building confidence there."
The Heat visits the Rose City riding back-to-back wins in Denver and Utah to begin a three-game road trip finishing in Portland. Center Hassan Whiteside leads Miami with 17.3 points, 14.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game. Despite back-to-back wins, the Heat have been without Justise Winslow (wrist), Dion Waiters (groin) and Josh Richardson (ankle) on the road trip. Luke Babbitt (hip) and Derrick Williams (back) are game-time decisions for Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra on Saturday.
Saturday's tipoff is slated for 7pm from Moda Center. Kevin Calabro, Lamar Hurd and Brooke Olzendam have the action on CSNNW, while Brian Wheeler calls the action on Rip City Radio 620 and the Trail Blazers mobile app.