Nikola Jovic's career-high 29 points lead the Heat past the Trail Blazers 136-131

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Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (22) goes to the basket as Portland Trail Blazers forward Kris Murray (24) and center Duop Reath (26) defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra watches during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) — Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (22) goes to the basket as Portland Trail Blazers forward Kris Murray (24) and center Duop Reath (26) defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

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7:47 PM on Saturday, November 8

By TIM REYNOLDS

MIAMI (AP) — Nikola Jovic scored a career-high 29 points off the bench and finished with nine rebounds and seven assists as the Miami Heat edged the Portland Trail Blazers 136-131 on Saturday night.

Norman Powell scored 22 points for Miami, which got 16 points from Pelle Larsson, 15 from Andrew Wiggins and a 14-point, 12-rebound, seven-assist effort from Jaime Jaquez Jr. Kel’el Ware added 12 rebounds for the Heat.

Jovic's previous career-best was 24 points.

Deni Avdija — now averaging 25.3 points so far this season — scored 33 points for Portland, which was playing the first game of a five-game trip. The Trail Blazers got 21 points from Shaedon Sharpe, plus 18 apiece from Jrue Holiday and Jerami Grant.

It came down to a back-and-forth fourth quarter, one in which neither team led by more than four until the final moments. Holiday connected on a 3-pointer with 3:26 left to tie the game at 123-all, setting the stage for the finish.

Wiggins' 3-pointer with 1:32 left gave Miami a 132-127 lead and the Heat held on from there, improving to 4-0 at home this season. Miami also moved to 6-2 when it scores at least 115 points; the Heat are 0-2 when scoring less than 115.

The Heat, who set a franchise record with 53 first-quarter points on Friday, had an icy cold start on Saturday — missing 14 of their first 15 shots and getting into a quick 15-3 deficit.

They didn't stay cold for long. The Heat managed 69 points in the final 19 minutes of the first half, taking a 72-65 lead into the break.

Miami played its second straight game without starting center Bam Adebayo, sidelined by a sprained left big toe.

Up next

Trail Blazers: Visit Orlando on Monday.

Heat: Host Cleveland on Monday.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA