Preview: Heat kick off tough road trip out West against Trail Blazers
TV: TNT
TIME: Coverage begins at 10:30 p.m.
Miami Heat (24-27, eighth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (32-20, fourth in the Western Conference)
BOTTOM LINE
Portland hosts Miami aiming to extend its five-game home winning streak.
The Trail Blazers are 22-7 on their home court. Portland is third in the league with 36.7 defensive rebounds per game, led by Jusuf Nurkic averaging 7.0.
The Heat are 13-11 on the road. Miami is second in the Eastern Conference with 11.6 offensive rebounds per game, led by Hassan Whiteside averaging 3.8. The Heat won the last meeting between these two squads 120-111 on Oct. 27. Goran Dragic led the way with 28 points.
TOP PERFORMERS
Damian Lillard has averaged 26.4 points and 4.6 rebounds for the Trail Blazers. Evan Turner has averaged 3.9 assists and scored 7.7 points over the last 10 games for Portland.
Josh Richardson is first on the Heat averaging 17.3 points and adding 3.7 rebounds. Whiteside has averaged 12 rebounds and added 12.7 points per game over the last 10 games for Miami.
LAST 10 GAMES
Heat: 3-7, averaging 97.9 points, 44.3 rebounds, 24.3 assists, 5.7 steals and 4.3 blocks per game while shooting 45.7 percent from the field. Their opponents have averaged 105.2 points on 46.3 percent shooting.
Trail Blazers: 7-3, averaging 119.9 points, 47.1 rebounds, 26.6 assists, 6.6 steals and 6.1 blocks per game while shooting 48.6 percent from the field. Their opponents have averaged 110 points on 46.3 percent shooting.
Trail Blazers Injuries: Jusuf Nurkic: out (right knee soreness).
Heat Injuries: Goran Dragic: out (knee), Derrick Jones Jr.: out (right knee bone bruises).
