MIAMI _ The challenge Saturday night for the Miami Heat was one that largely will define this season: the ability to overcome individual brilliance with collective depth and resolve.
The test this time was provided by Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard, who was coming off a 41-point performance two nights earlier against the Orlando Magic.
A week ago, the Heat lacked enough to overcome Kemba Walker's 39 points in falling to the Charlotte Hornets in the first game of this four-game homestand.
This time even with Lillard closing with 42, even with the Heat blowing a 19-point lead, strength in numbers played to the Heat's advantage in a 120-111 victory at AmericanAirlines Arena.
Because Goran Dragic closed with 28 points, including two key late 3-pointers.
Because Dwyane Wade turned back to the clock to score 19.
Because Kelly Olynyk stepped up when needed to score 19.
And because Hassan Whiteside dominated on the glass with 16 rebounds.
"We love our roster and the fact that we have great depth and a lot of guys that can hurt you," coach Erik Spoelstra said. "It takes the right mindset to have those type of contributions."
The Heat pushed to their 19-point lead in the second period and went into halftime up 57-42. Portland trimmed their deficit to seven in the third, before the Heat went into fourth up 89-79.
Portland later tied it 96-96 with 6:12 to play on a Zach Collins 3-pointer, with a Lillard 3-pointer putting the Blazers up 99-96, matching their largest lead to that stage.
From there, a Dragic 3-pointer with 2:34 to play put the Heat up 108-106, with a Josh Richardson 3-pointer with 2 minutes to play extending the Heat's lead to 111-106.
Three-pointers by Dragic and Rodney McGruder followed, as did the victory that lifted the Heat to 3-2.
"The ball was moving and guys were able to be aggressive and able to play to their strengths," Spoelstra said. "It was good to see guys aggressive and confident."
