MIAMI – Cleveland Cavaliers head coach JB Bickerstaff was furious with his team after an early defensive phase and eliminated 53 seconds in the game. It was an ominous sign.
The Cavs lost Tuesday night to the Miami Heat, 113-98. This is their fourth consecutive loss and the third consecutive double-digit loss. This is the 19th consecutive time they have lost in Miami – an astonishing series that goes back more than a decade.
Miami opened the game with an essay by Duncan Robinson. Then Kelly Olynyk, a Cleveland villain, shouted a three-pointer from the right wing as Larry Nance Jr. could not step forward and Isaac Okoro could not fight through the Jimmy Butler screen. With the Heat’s first five points, the Cavs had to regroup quickly.
The excited team steps back to the turmoil and Bickerstaff pulls Nance aside and tries to discuss the defensive strategy. The two kept talking throughout, causing Nance to grab Bickerstaff’s clipboard and begin to draw his view of the collapse. Finally Nance points to Okoro on the couch and then Nance taps on his own chest and admits his screw.
“There were two situations where we just had to have a conversation and learn through it,” Bickerstaff said. “It was just a teaching point and that was it.”
The Cavs scored the next nine points. The ensuing piece was the highlight. Miami finished the second quarter on a run of 23-12, leading 62-48. The Heat put it on cruise control from there, at one point extending the lead to 22 and holding off a late push through Cleveland.
Offensive was a problem for the third consecutive game from the All-Star break, as the Cavs continued to search for the rhythm that led to a prosperous boom and renewed positive vibes. The Cavs reached 2-of-18 from three points in the first half and had to fight uphill before completing a more respectable 10-of-35 series. But they could not get the 100-point again. They made 14 turnovers and made only 23 shots on 39 shots.
“I think they look good,” Bickerstaff said. ‘I think our guys do an excellent job of sharing the ball and moving the ball and there are shots there. It looks good. We just have to keep shooting them with confidence and throwing around. ”
Collin Sexton’s shootouts after the break also continued. Sexton scored 21 points on 7-of-17 from the field and 2-out-8 from outside the arc. Sexton shot 36.5% off the field in the first three games of the second half.
“When you’re in this league, your defense sometimes has to give credit and tonight you saw him play every time, a doubles team,” Bickerstaff said of Sexton’s difficult night. ‘I thought he was doing the right thing and trying to get as much out of it as possible. Some nights it’s going to be what he’s supposed to do, and I thought he did well to admit it tonight. ‘
Nance, who started for the injured Kevin Love, added 14 points, nine rebounds and four assists in 38 minutes.
Miami was led by Jimmy Butler, whose return from COVID caused a massive turnaround for Heat. Butler, one of five rookies in double figures, scored 28 points with 12 rebounds and four assists.
This is Miami’s 11th victory in the last twelve games, moving to fourth place in the Eastern Conference.
At some point in the fourth quarter, after one of Butler’s buckets, Cedi Osman walks to the bench, slaps the Gatorade cooler, and throws his headband on the floor before the teammates come to comfort him. The Cavs’ game before the nine-day dismissal did not carry over – and the frustration is clearly increasing.
“Of course we’re frustrated,” Nance admits. ‘All three teams that are up by 20 at some point are frustrating. We understand that. We are also frustrated. But to acclimatize to a man who … I played 37 minutes tonight and did not play a full month. As it is not easy for me. It’s not easy for Bull (Sexton). It’s not easy for Darius (Garland), Isaac, Jarrett (Allen), P (JaVale McGee), Dean (Wade); many adjustments need to be made. Just got a little bit of adversity to fight with.
‘One thing you can count on: we’re not going to stop. We’re going to find out. We’re going to fix this ship. ‘
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JaVale McGee rugby center has been linked in recent trade rumors to the leading needy Brooklyn Nets. The Heat may also need another big thing. McGee put on a show for those interested and scored 16 points on 8-of-10 from the field, with eight rebounds and two blocks.
Following
The Cavs will return home Wednesday night for the second game of a rugby game against the Boston Celtics. Tipoff is set for 20:00
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New Cavs face masks for sale: Here you can buy Cleveland Cavaliers-themed face masks for coronavirus protection, including a single mask ($ 14.99) and a 3-pack ($ 24.99). All NBA proceeds are donated to charity.
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