The only Miami star to boost Nikola Jovic’s career against the Blazers

MIAMI – After a evening of the career of Miami Heat star Nikola Jovic In Saturday’s 136-131 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, there was general excitement around the 22-year-old. With Jovic progressing in the Heat is a new and improved attackthere was another factor that led to the outstanding performance.

In a win over Portland that snapped a four-game home streak, Jovic would score a career-high 29 points on 10 of 16 field goal attempts, three of seven from deep, along with nine rebounds and seven assists. Although he admitted after the competition that he feels he is holding the team back as he slowly adapts to the new system, the motivation of his teammates, especially Norman Powell, was key to keeping it even.

“Just for me, I talk to them mentally. Young guys, they worry about other things,” Powell said. “You know, all the missed shots, turnovers. They get upset when they don’t make a play that they feel like they should have shot or passed. You know, they’re very unselfish guys, but they get down a little bit, especially Niko, so they just stay in his ear during the game, before and after, you know, keeping him positive about the mistake and don’t focus on him.”

“I told him after the first timeout, I don’t want to see his body language go down when he makes a bad play, loses the ball, misses a shot or whatever, like staying tied, it’s a long game and he’s too talented for that,” Powell continued. “And I thought he did a great job tonight, staying with it in attack mode, reading the game, getting to his spots and making the plays that were in front of him.”

Norman Powell on Nikola Jovic:

“He gets down on himself a lot. He just stays in his ear during the game. He keeps him positive and doesn’t focus on mistakes. I told him after the first timeout that I don’t want to see his body language go down when he’s playing bad…” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/l2iGz9kPv5

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) November 9, 2025

Nikola Jović from the Heat was “happy” for the game in his career

As it is The Heat were coming off a big win over the Charlotte Hornetsteam would face the challenge of facing a Portland team that runs the second-fastest pace in the league (106.11 possessions per 48 minutes), with Miami (106.95) first. It was a back-and-forth game filled with endless flash sequences, with Miami getting better performances from players like Jovic.

With Jovic’s 29 points and Powell’s 22, another player who has benefited from the up-tempo offense is Jaime Jaquez Jr., who has been outstanding this season, scored 14 points with 12 rebounds and seven assists. For Žakez, Jović was “long” for a game like he had on Saturday.

“Should have been 30… Just kidding,” Jaquez said. “I’m really happy for him. He’s been playing great, he’s been working so hard, and he’s going to have such a night. He’s really a guy that can take this team to the next level. You know, just keep believing in him. He’s an amazing player, and he showed that tonight.”

Jaime Jaquez Jr. about Nikola Jovic:

“I should have had 30, just kidding…really happy for him…he’s ready for a night like that, he’s really a guy that can take this team to the next level…” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/B2oUiFID95

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) November 9, 2025

The goal now is for Jovic to have a good night, and his next chance is on Monday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers.