Jimmy Butler III scored 22 points (9 in the second quarter), and the Miami Heat rallied from 15 points down in the first quarter to beat the Portland Trail Blazers 106-96 for their fifth straight win.
The Heat trailed 22-7 with 3:56 left in the first quarter and 56-46 at halftime. They outscored the Trail Blazers 99-74 the rest of the way.
For the Trail Blazers, Anfernee Simons scored 26 points, and Jerami Grant added 24 points (11 in the first quarter), 6 assists and 3 steals. Deandre Ayton had 12 points and 10 rebounds on 6 for 9 shooting.
The Heat shot 52.9% from the field and 53.8% from 3 to the Trail Blazers’ 40.7% and 32.3%. The Trail Blazers turned it over 18 times, about 4 more than usual for this many possessions. The Trail Blazers’ starters outscored the Heat 28-18 in 12 minutes together. Toumani Camara fouled out.