The Miami Heat (40-35) have set a defensive exclamation point and won 98:79 (BOXSCORE) against the Cleveland Cavaliers (44-30). Not even LeBron James had an answer against the enemy bulwark.
Both teams changed the starting five compared to the last game. At the Cavs, Jeff Green returned from illness and replaced Larry Nance. In addition, Jose Calderon started again for absent Kyle Korver (bereavement in the family) at the Backcourt. The Heat had to replace Adebayo (ankles) on the Five Bam – Jordan Mickey stood in for him. It was his third start of the season. Hassan Whiteside (hip) dropped out.
The Heat came out of the starting blocks a little better, while the Cavs were worried about Kevin Love early. After a collision with Mickey, he bled in his mouth and was examined in the Locker Room. Anyway, it was very physical, there were lots of Hustle Plays. A Cavs thirst course of 6 misses in a row uses Miami for a 17:10 lead, after 12 minutes it was already 29:18.
In the second quarter, the Heat took advantage of the LeBron break and extended their lead. Love only returned to the floor for a short time. Kelly Olynyk had moments of highlight as part of the second unit, while Cleveland continued to bite his opponent’s teeth out and hardly hit anything. At halftime it was 54:34.
After the change of sides, the guests were in a slightly better rhythm, but mostly lost out in decisive posessions and loose balls. Josh Richardson used the opponent’s deep sleep phase for the dunk and 21-point lead. But then Cleveland suddenly managed a small run to 70:57, which Goran Dragic finished from downtown. With 75:59 it went into the final section.
Meanwhile the Heat took many threesomes, but only met a few. So the game was once again on the brink – also because the defense of the Cavs was now much more focused. Miami was barely graduating, but he didn’t lose his nerve. Thus, isolated pinpricks were enough for them to take the lead over time.
Topscorer of the Heat was Olynyk with 19 points, James Johnson (9 Rebounds, 5 Assists) and Richardson each came 15th. On the other hand, LeBron James (18 points, 7/18) played a very weak game by his standards, Rodney Hood coming from the bank set 15 points.
Miami Heat (40-35) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (44-30) 98:79 (BOXSCORE)
James Johnson. The Heat won this duel thanks to strong defense and a lot of physique. Johnson embodied this most with many hustle plays (2 steals, 3 blocks) and also shone on the offensive with his all-rounder skills.
Jeff Green. He made his comeback after surviving his illness, but was still very rusty. Defensively he missed many rotations, offensively he found no rhythm at all (2/10 FG) and bounced off the strong opposing defense time and time again.
The Heat took advantage of two facts. On the one hand, they noticed that the refs let a lot pass in the first half – and on the other hand, the Cavs didn’t meet any threesomes at first. That’s why Miami’s defense squeezed into their own zone and acted with aggressive double or even triple teams against drives or post-ups. The game was decided early due to the numerous stops.