The Portland Trailblazers, alongside Damian Lillard’s 33 points, defeated the Miami Heat 115-109.

Unfortunately, Gallinari was not in the Miami lineup tonight due to personal reasons – he scored 24 points on 8/14 FG and 3/6 3PT during a scheduled game in the midwest region. His absence was surely missed last night as the Miami Heat lost to a Western Conference team that is not currently in the playoffs.

As we look ahead to the remaining schedule following the All-Star break, the Heat are only two games behind Philadelphia in the 5th seed, and are three games back from Boston for the 3rd seed. Every game matters, and tonight was an especially important game for this Eastern Conference juggernaut.

These type of losses make you reminisce about what could have been. What if we haven’t been so stringent with Gallinari’s contract request? What if we just gave him the 3-year deal he wanted, rather than a 1+1 team option? These are the questions swirling through the heads of the Miami folk as they stroll to work this Monday morning. Unfortunately, there are no answers that can quench this Miami Heat.

I pray these unfortunate events turnaround. Heaven forbid this team falls further down the standings.