Blazers vs. Heat: Second Half Discussion
The second half of the matchup between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Miami Heat delivered a clear contrast in identity, execution, and adjustments. What began as a competitive first half turned into a revealing stretch that showed why Miami thrives in close games and why Portland continues to search for consistency. Miami’s Defensive Adjustments Take Control Coming out of halftime, the Heat immediately raised the intensity on the defensive end. Their ball pressure disrupted Portland’s rhythm, forcing the Blazers into tougher shots late in the clock. Miami mixed man-to-man coverage with timely help defense, cutting off driving lanes and daring Portland to beat them from the perimeter. This approach paid off. The Blazers struggled to generate clean looks, and turnovers began to creep in. Miami capitalized on those mistakes, turning defense into offense with quick transition opportunities that swung momentum firmly in their favor. Blazers Struggle to Maintain Offensive Flow Portland sho…
