The 13-24 Portland Trail Blazers are set to face the 19-17 Miami Heat on Saturday, Jan. 11. It's the start of a five-game home stretch for Portland after going 2-3 on their road trip, with wins over New Orleans and Milwaukee. The Blazers' 2025 schedule is relatively lighter compared to the start of the season, as 27 of their first 29 games were against teams in the loaded Western Conference. However, their matchup against Miami will also be challenging.
Portland enters the game as a slight underdog despite playing at home and going up against a Heat team without Jimmy Butler, who has been suspended for seven games for conduct detrimental to the team. Butler's discontent in Miami and the fact that Portland has several veterans on their rebuilding roster means both teams could make a move leading up to the Feb. 6 trade deadline.
Blazers injury report vs. Heat on Saturday, Jan. 11
Here is Portland's injury report:
- Jerami Grant: Out (face contusion)
- Matisse Thybulle: Out (right ankle sprain)
- Deandre Ayton: Questionable (left calf soreness)
- Robert Williams III: Questionable (illness)
Update: Williams is now also questionable with an illness. If Ayton and RW3 are both unable to go, expect Donovan Clingan to get the start and increased minutes.
Sean Highkin of Rose Garden Report provided an update on Matisse Thybulle, saying that he "will be re-evaluated in two weeks as he continues return-to-play reconditioning." Thybulle has yet to play in 2024-25 after suffering a right ankle sprain during his recovery from offseason knee surgery.
Miami Heat injury report
Here is Miami's injury report:
- Jimmy Butler: Out (team suspension)
- Dru Smith: Out (Achilles)
- Josh Richardson: Questionable (heel)
Kevin Love is back with the team after stepping away for personal reasons. Tyler Herro is also available after suffering a left knee contusion.
The Blazers will have their hands full with Herro, who is averaging 23.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.0 assists, shooting 46.8 percent from the field and 40.2 percent from three. Every single one of those categories is a career-high for the Kentucky guard, who is having a breakout year in his sixth season.
Portland has their own electrifying scoring guard, Anfernee Simons, whose play has picked up recently. After an inconsistent start to the season, Simons has had at least 22 points in six of his last seven games. This matchup could be determined by which supporting cast provides their star guard with more help on the offensive end, as both teams are in the bottom ten in points per game.
The Blazers entered the season with clear expectations as a team with no playoff aspirations that wants to focus on player development and roster clarity; this seems like a more pivotal game for the Heat as they decide what direction to take their roster at the deadline, given the recent saga surrounding Butler.
Tip-off at the Moda Center is scheduled for 7:00 PM PST.