Ware moved into the starting lineup alongside Bam Adebayo in the frontcourt. It was the first start of his career, and he supplied 20 points, 16 rebounds, two blocks and two 3-pointers in 39 minutes.

After a productive run with the Heat, rookie Kel'el Ware is beginning to showcase why the organization selected him with the 15th pick in the draft.

MIAMI—Though the Miami Heat lost to the Portland Trail Blazers devastatingly on Tuesday night, 116-107, the one bright spot came from rookie Kel’el Ware. The long-awaited duo of the Heat’s first-round pick and Bam Adebayo is coming off a game in which they excelled against the Spurs.