MIAMI (AP) — Damian Lillard scored seven of his 18 points in the final 3:16, and the Portland Trail Blazers overcame a 16-point second-half deficit to break their five-game losing streak, beating the Miami Heat 102-95 on Wednesday night.
Lillard, who came into the game averaging 26.6 points, had only one field goal in the first 31 minutes. But he converted a three-point play put the Trail Blazers ahead to stay, 98-95, and sank two free throws on their next possession for a five-point lead.
CJ McCollum scored 28 points for the Trail Blazers (14-13). They climbed back above .500 and improved to 7-5 on the road. The Heat (13-14) fell below .500 and dropped to 5-7 at home.
Miami reserve Wayne Ellington sank seven 3-pointers and scored a season-high 24 points. Dion Waiters added 17 points for the Heat, who were hurt by three missed free throws down the stretch.
Both teams were short-handed. Heat forward Justise Winslow left the game in the first half with a left knee strain and did not return, and guard Tyler Johnson sat out because of a migraine.
Miami was also without center Hassan Whiteside for a seventh consecutive games because of a bone bruise in his left knee.
Al-Farouq Aminu had 15 points and 13 rebounds for Portland.
Ellington went 5 for 5 from 3-point range in the first quarter, helping Miami to a 33-21 lead.
The Heat were up by 16 in the second quarter and again in the third, but a 12-1 run by the Trail Blazers got them back in the game. Lillard’s driving dunk tied it at 86 with seven minutes left.
Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.