Trail Blazers F Deni Avdija (back) ruled out vs. Heat

Portland Trail Blazers standout forward Deni Avdija exited Thursday night's game against the visiting Miami Heat with back soreness early in the third quarter and didn't return.

Avdija had 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists in 18 minutes before his departure.

Avdija left the contest less than two minutes into the second half, and the team officially ruled him out later in the third quarter.

The 6-foot-8 Avdija recently missed three consecutive games due to lower-back soreness.