Game ID: 22301029
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Miami Heat
Sunday, March 24, 2024 at 6:00 PM ET
Kaseya Center, Miami, FL
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
MIA 32 28 30 31 121CLE 22 17 18 27 84
CLE @ MIA ScoutingCLE @ MIA Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
MIA availability going into 3/17 · 1 day's restOUT Herro missed 10 since 2/26, out tonight
OUT Richardson missed 13 since 2/13, out tonight
OUT Wright missed 7 since 3/02, returns tonight: 21 min (95% of 22)
OUT Love missed 8 since 2/29, out tonight
BACK Bryant back 3/13 after 2, 15 min since (134% of 12)
BACK Cain back 3/15 after 10, 1 min since (11% of 10)
MIA availability going into 3/18 · back-to-backOUT Herro missed 11 since 2/26, out tonight
OUT Richardson missed 14 since 2/13, out tonight
OUT Love missed 9 since 2/29, out tonight
BACK Wright back 3/17 after 7, 21 min since (95% of 22)
BACK Bryant back 3/13 after 2, 14 min since (120% of 12)
BACK Cain back 3/15 after 10, 1 min since (11% of 10)
NEW Robinson 27 to 32 min over the last 5
MIA availability going into 3/20 · 1 day's restOUT Butler III missed 2 since 3/17, returns tonight: 37 min (109% of 34)
OUT Herro missed 12 since 2/26, out tonight
OUT Richardson missed 15 since 2/13, out tonight
OUT Jović missed 2 since 3/17, returns tonight: 33 min (166% of 20)
OUT Love missed 10 since 2/29, out tonight
OUT Cain missed 2 since 3/17, out tonight
BACK Wright back 3/17 after 7, 18 min since (83% of 22)
BACK Bryant back 3/13 after 2, 14 min since (125% of 12)
MIA availability going into 3/22 · 1 day's restOUT Herro missed 13 since 2/26, out tonight
OUT Richardson missed 16 since 2/13, out tonight
OUT Love missed 11 since 2/29, out tonight
OUT Cain missed 3 since 3/17, returns tonight: 4 min (38% of 10)
BACK Butler III back 3/20 after 2, 37 min since (109% of 34)
BACK Wright back 3/17 after 7, 17 min since (79% of 22)
BACK Jović back 3/20 after 2, 33 min since (166% of 20)
BACK Bryant back 3/13 after 2, 14 min since (126% of 12)
MIA availability going into 3/24 · 1 day's restOUT Herro missed 14 since 2/26, out tonight
OUT Robinson missed 2 since 3/20, out tonight
OUT Richardson missed 17 since 2/13, out tonight
OUT Love missed 12 since 2/29, out tonight
BACK Butler III back 3/20 after 2, 37 min since (108% of 34)
BACK Wright back 3/17 after 7, 19 min since (85% of 22)
BACK Jović back 3/20 after 2, 26 min since (130% of 20)
BACK Cain back 3/15 after 10, 2 min since (25% of 10)
MIA availability going into 3/26 · 1 day's restOUT Herro missed 15 since 2/26, out tonight
OUT Robinson missed 3 since 3/20, out tonight
OUT Richardson missed 18 since 2/13, out tonight
OUT Love missed 13 since 2/29, out tonight
BACK Butler III back 3/20 after 2, 33 min since (96% of 34)
BACK Wright back 3/17 after 7, 21 min since (96% of 22)
BACK Jović back 3/20 after 2, 24 min since (117% of 20)
BACK Cain back 3/22 after 3, 7 min since (66% of 10)
MIA availability going into 3/29 · 2 days' restOUT Herro missed 16 since 2/26, out tonight
OUT Robinson missed 4 since 3/20, out tonight
OUT Richardson missed 19 since 2/13, out tonight
OUT Love missed 14 since 2/29, out tonight
BACK Butler III back 3/20 after 2, 33 min since (96% of 34)
BACK Jović back 3/20 after 2, 25 min since (126% of 20)
BACK Cain back 3/22 after 3, 5 min since (49% of 10)
MIA availability going into 3/31 · 1 day's restOUT Herro missed 17 since 2/26, out tonight
OUT Robinson missed 5 since 3/20, returns tonight: 28 min (104% of 27)
OUT Richardson missed 20 since 2/13, out tonight
OUT Love missed 15 since 2/29, out tonight
BACK Butler III back 3/20 after 2, 31 min since (90% of 34)
BACK Jović back 3/20 after 2, 24 min since (118% of 20)
BACK Cain back 3/22 after 3, 7 min since (67% of 10)
MIA availability going into 4/02 · 1 day's restOUT Herro missed 18 since 2/26, out tonight
OUT Richardson missed 21 since 2/13, out tonight
OUT Love missed 16 since 2/29, returns tonight: 16 min (97% of 16)
BACK Robinson back 3/31 after 5, 28 min since (104% of 27)
BACK Cain back 3/22 after 3, 5 min since (55% of 10)
NEW Highsmith 21 to 27 min over the last 5
CLE availability going into 3/16 · 2 days' restOUT Strus missed 6 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Eva. Mobley missed 5 since 3/06, out tonight
OUT Wade missed 3 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Thompson missed 25 since 1/24, returns tonight: 16 min (144% of 11)
BACK Mitchell back 3/13 after 7, 28 min since (78% of 36)
NEW Okoro 26 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Niang 21 to 28 min over the last 5
CLE availability going into 3/18 · 1 day's restOUT Strus missed 7 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Eva. Mobley missed 6 since 3/06, out tonight
OUT Wade missed 4 since 3/10, out tonight
BACK Mitchell back 3/13 after 7, 27 min since (75% of 36)
BACK Thompson back 3/16 after 25, 16 min since (144% of 11)
NEW Okoro 26 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Niang 21 to 28 min over the last 5
NEW Merrill 17 to 24 min over the last 5
CLE availability going into 3/20 · 1 day's restOUT Strus missed 8 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Eva. Mobley missed 7 since 3/06, out tonight
OUT Wade missed 5 since 3/10, out tonight
BACK Mitchell back 3/13 after 7, 27 min since (75% of 36)
BACK Thompson back 3/16 after 25, 15 min since (137% of 11)
NEW Okoro 26 to 34 min over the last 5
NEW Niang 21 to 28 min over the last 5
NEW Merrill 17 to 25 min over the last 5
CLE availability going into 3/22 · 1 day's restOUT Mitchell missed 2 since 3/18, out tonight
OUT Strus missed 9 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Eva. Mobley missed 8 since 3/06, out tonight
OUT Wade missed 6 since 3/10, out tonight
BACK Thompson back 3/16 after 25, 13 min since (120% of 11)
NEW LeVert 28 to 34 min over the last 5
NEW Okoro 26 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Niang 21 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Merrill 17 to 24 min over the last 5
CLE availability going into 3/24 · 1 day's restOUT Mitchell missed 3 since 3/18, out tonight
OUT Strus missed 10 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Eva. Mobley missed 9 since 3/06, returns tonight: 21 min (67% of 32)
OUT Wade missed 7 since 3/10, out tonight
BACK Thompson back 3/16 after 25, 14 min since (125% of 11)
NEW LeVert 28 to 35 min over the last 5
NEW Okoro 26 to 35 min over the last 5
NEW Niang 21 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Merrill 17 to 25 min over the last 5
NEW Morris Sr. 15 to 21 min over the last 3
CLE availability going into 3/25 · back-to-backOUT Mitchell missed 4 since 3/18, out tonight
OUT Strus missed 11 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Wade missed 8 since 3/10, out tonight
BACK Eva. Mobley back 3/24 after 9, 21 min since (67% of 32)
BACK Thompson back 3/16 after 25, 13 min since (119% of 11)
NEW Okoro 26 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Niang 21 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Merrill 17 to 26 min over the last 5
NEW Morris Sr. 15 to 21 min over the last 4
CLE availability going into 3/27 · 1 day's restOUT Mitchell missed 5 since 3/18, out tonight
OUT Strus missed 12 since 3/05, returns tonight: 24 min (75% of 33)
OUT Wade missed 9 since 3/10, out tonight
BACK Eva. Mobley back 3/24 after 9, 23 min since (73% of 32)
NEW Niang 21 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Merrill 17 to 25 min over the last 5
CLE availability going into 3/29 · 1 day's restOUT Mitchell missed 6 since 3/18, returns tonight: 32 min (90% of 36)
OUT Wade missed 10 since 3/10, out tonight
BACK Strus back 3/27 after 12, 24 min since (75% of 33)
BACK Eva. Mobley back 3/24 after 9, 26 min since (81% of 32)
NEW Niang 21 to 28 min over the last 5
NEW Merrill 17 to 25 min over the last 5
CLE availability going into 3/31 · 1 day's restOUT Wade missed 11 since 3/10, out tonight
BACK Mitchell back 3/29 after 6, 32 min since (90% of 36)
BACK Strus back 3/27 after 12, 26 min since (79% of 33)
BACK Eva. Mobley back 3/24 after 9, 27 min since (85% of 32)
NEW Niang 21 to 28 min over the last 5
NEW Merrill 17 to 25 min over the last 5
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Miami comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 100 a night and allowing 102, shooting 43 percent and 31 from three, 17 free throws a game; Butler III at 20 and Adebayo at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Without Herro (14 straight), Robinson (2 straight), Richardson (17 straight). One day's rest. Cleveland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 104 a night and allowing 105, shooting 47 percent and 35 from three, 18 free throws a game; Garland at 18 and Allen at 18 a game. Without Mitchell (3 straight), Strus (10 straight), Eva. Mobley (9 straight). One day's rest.
So: Miami wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Cleveland giving it away 12 times a game to Miami's 9 and the arc, Cleveland at 35 percent from three to Miami's 31. Call it Miami 107, Cleveland 106, Cleveland keeping it close.
3/17 @ DET 104-101 — MIA notes
MIA won 104-101. MIA shot 45% (40 of 89) to DET's 46%, 12 of 35 from three. Robinson led with 30 (10 of 15, 7 of 12 from three); Adebayo added 20, Rozier 17. The hinge was Q2, 39-27: MIA came in trailing by 2 and left it ahead by 10, and the lead reached 17.
3/18 @ PHI 91-98 — MIA notes
MIA lost 91-98. MIA shot 39% (35 of 89) to PHI's 44%, 12 of 33 from three. Rozier led with 20 (8 of 21, 3 of 7 from three); Adebayo added 20, Martin 13. Q4 was theirs, 26-19, the deficit cut from 14 to 7, but the other 3 periods went 79-65 against them. Adebayo's -19 in 32 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/20 @ CLE 107-104 — MIA notes
MIA won 107-104. MIA shot 46% (38 of 83) to CLE's 47%, 13 of 36 from three. Butler III led with 30 (11 of 19, 2 of 4 from three, 6 of 7 at the line); Rozier added 24, Jović 14. The hinge was Q3, 22-18: a lead of 4 became 8. Butler III was the night's best plus/minus at +10.
3/22 vs NOP 88-111 — MIA notes
MIA lost 88-111. MIA shot 36% (31 of 86) to NOP's 51%, 13 of 47 from three. MIA turned it over 4 times to NOP's 12. The glass went 34-56 against them. Butler III led with 17 (5 of 12, 0 of 3 from three, 7 of 7 at the line); Swider added 14, Rozier 13. Q1 was theirs, 20-21, but the other 3 periods went 90-68 against them. They led by as many as 12. Wright's -23 in 22 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/24 vs CLE 121-84 — MIA notes
MIA won 121-84. MIA shot 52% (43 of 83) to CLE's 42%, 15 of 38 from three. MIA turned it over 9 times to CLE's 17. The glass went 44-30 for them. Highsmith led with 18 (7 of 10, 4 of 4 from three); Adebayo added 15, Butler III 15. The hinge was Q3, 30-18: a lead of 21 became 33, and the lead reached 45. Butler III was the night's best plus/minus at +32.
3/26 vs GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Miami comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 102 a night and allowing 100, shooting 43 percent and 34 from three, 17 free throws a game; Butler III at 21 and Rozier at 18 a game. Without Herro (15 straight), Robinson (3 straight), Richardson (18 straight). One day's rest. Golden State comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 119, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 16 free throws a game; Curry at 26 and Thompson at 20 a game. Without Šarić (2 straight), Looney (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Miami wins, and the game turns on the defense, Miami allowing 100 a night to Golden State's 119 and the arc, Golden State at 39 percent from three to Miami's 34. Call it Miami 113, Golden State 110, Golden State keeping it close.
3/29 vs POR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Miami comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 100 a night and allowing 102, shooting 42 percent and 33 from three, 17 free throws a game; Butler III at 21 and Adebayo at 18 a game. Without Herro (16 straight), Robinson (4 straight), Richardson (19 straight). 2 days' rest. Portland comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 117, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 16 free throws a game; Banton at 20 and Henderson at 19 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Simons (3 straight), Sharpe (36 straight), Ayton (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: Miami wins, and the game turns on the defense, Miami allowing 102 a night to Portland's 117 and the turnovers, Portland giving it away 15 times a game to Miami's 9. Call it Miami 112, Portland 105.
3/31 @ WAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Washington comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 107, shooting 46 percent and 33 from three, 17 free throws a game; Kuzma at 21 and Poole at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Jones (8 straight), Champagnie (2 straight). One day's rest. Miami comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 99, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 18 free throws a game; Adebayo at 18 and Rozier at 18 a game. Without Herro (17 straight), Robinson (5 straight), Richardson (20 straight). One day's rest.
So: Miami wins, on the road, and the game turns on the turnovers, Washington giving it away 16 times a game to Miami's 7 and the glass, where Washington has been plus-5 a night and Miami minus-2. Call it Miami 111, Washington 108, Washington keeping it close.
4/02 vs NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Miami comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 99, shooting 47 percent and 37 from three, 20 free throws a game; Adebayo at 19 and Rozier at 18 a game. Without Herro (18 straight), Richardson (21 straight), Love (16 straight). One day's rest. New York comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 107, shooting 48 percent and 40 from three, 19 free throws a game; Brunson at 32 and DiVincenzo at 24 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Anunoby (7 straight). One day's rest.
So: Miami wins, and the game turns on the glass, where New York has been plus-8 a night and Miami minus-2 and the defense, Miami allowing 99 a night to New York's 107. Call it Miami 111, New York 109, New York keeping it close.
3/16 @ HOU 103-117 — CLE notes
CLE lost 103-117. CLE shot 45% (37 of 82) to HOU's 48%, 12 of 38 from three, and went to the line 20 times to HOU's 12 — 17 points from the stripe to their 8. CLE turned it over 15 times to HOU's 9, and HOU turned those into 9 steals. LeVert led with 21 (8 of 14, 1 of 4 from three); Niang added 14, Mitchell 13. Q4 was theirs, 30-19, the deficit cut from 25 to 14, but the other 3 periods went 98-73 against them. Niang's -17 in 29 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/18 @ IND 108-103 — CLE notes
CLE won 108-103. CLE shot 48% (38 of 80) to IND's 46%, 12 of 32 from three, and went to the line 28 times to IND's 16 — 20 points from the stripe to their 10. LeVert led with 23 (7 of 15, 1 of 5 from three, 8 of 11 at the line); Allen added 23, Morris Sr. 14. The hinge was Q2, 29-20: CLE came in trailing by 9 and left it level. LeVert was the night's best plus/minus at +12.
3/20 vs MIA 104-107 — CLE notes
CLE lost 104-107. CLE shot 47% (35 of 75) to MIA's 46%, 15 of 42 from three. Allen led with 25 (10 of 13, 5 of 6 at the line); Garland added 20, Niang 18. Q4 was theirs, 29-24, the deficit cut from 8 to 3, but the other 3 periods went 83-75 against them. LeVert's -9 in 37 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/22 @ MIN 91-104 — CLE notes
CLE lost 91-104. CLE shot 42% (34 of 81) to MIN's 48%, 7 of 29 from three. Garland led with 19 (8 of 21, 0 of 6 from three); LeVert added 16, Allen 15. Q2 was theirs, 29-21, turning a 5-point deficit into a 3-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 83-62 against them. Allen's -18 in 33 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/24 @ MIA 84-121 — CLE notes
CLE lost 84-121. CLE shot 42% (30 of 72) to MIA's 52%, 9 of 29 from three. CLE turned it over 17 times to MIA's 9, and MIA turned those into 13 steals. The glass went 30-44 against them. Mobley led with 15 (4 of 6, 5 of 6 at the line). Q4 was theirs, 27-31, but the other 3 periods went 90-57 against them. LeVert's -26 in 20 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/25 vs CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Cleveland comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 98 a night and allowing 110, shooting 45 percent and 32 from three, 22 free throws a game; Allen at 16 and LeVert at 16 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Mitchell (4 straight), Strus (11 straight), Wade (8 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Charlotte comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 97 a night and allowing 112, shooting 45 percent and 28 from three, 16 free throws a game; Bridges at 20 and Micić at 17 a game. That is 4 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. One day's rest.
So: Cleveland wins, and the game turns on the line, where Cleveland takes 22 free throws a game to Charlotte's 16. Call it Cleveland 110, Charlotte 106, Charlotte keeping it close.
3/27 @ CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Charlotte comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 94 a night and allowing 115, shooting 43 percent and 27 from three, 17 free throws a game; Bridges at 17 and Miller at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. One day's rest. Cleveland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 100 a night and allowing 105, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 20 free throws a game; Allen at 18 and Garland at 15 a game. Without Mitchell (5 straight), Strus (12 straight), Wade (9 straight). One day's rest.
So: Cleveland wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, Cleveland at 35 percent from three to Charlotte's 27 and the defense, Cleveland allowing 105 a night to Charlotte's 115. Call it Cleveland 110, Charlotte 105.
3/29 vs PHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Cleveland comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 101 a night and allowing 108, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 17 free throws a game; Allen at 18 and Garland at 15 a game. Without Mitchell (6 straight), Wade (10 straight). One day's rest. Philadelphia comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 104 a night and allowing 108, shooting 44 percent and 35 from three, 18 free throws a game; Maxey at 22 and Harris at 16 a game. Without Embiid (27 straight), Melton (15 straight), Covington (41 straight). One day's rest.
So: Cleveland wins, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it Cleveland 110, Philadelphia 107, Philadelphia keeping it close.
3/31 @ DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 106, shooting 47 percent and 33 from three, 22 free throws a game; Jokić at 28 and Porter Jr. at 17 a game. Without Murray (4 straight). One day's rest. Cleveland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 104 a night and allowing 110, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 15 free throws a game; Allen at 16 and Eva. Mobley at 16 a game. Without Wade (11 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-4 a night and Cleveland minus-3 and the line, where Denver takes 22 free throws a game to Cleveland's 15. Call it Denver 112, Cleveland 107.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
MIABA B. Adebayo
BU Butler
CM C. Martin
CS C. Swider
DW D. Wright
HH H. Highsmith
JB J. Butler III
JC J. Cain
JO Jovic
NJ N. Jović
OR O. Robinson
PM P. Mills
TB T. Bryant
TR T. Rozier
CLECL C. LeVert
CP C. Porter Jr.
DG D. Garland
DJ D. Jones
EB E. Bates
EM E. Mobley
GN G. Niang
IO I. Okoro
JA J. Allen
MM M. Morris Sr.
SM S. Merrill
TT T. Thompson
MIA/CLE the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Heat build biggest lead in more than a decade, roll past Cavaliers 121-84
MIAMI -- — There was a 2-on-0 break in the third quarter when Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo seemed like they couldn't decide which one was going to get the easy basket.
It was that kind of night for the Miami Heat . Everything went right.
Haywood Highsmith scored 18 points, part of a 59-point effort by Miami's reserves, and the Heat built what was their biggest lead in more than a decade on the way to beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 121-84 on Sunday night to snap a three-game home slide.
“Our home fans really deserved this, to be honest with you,” Highsmith said. “We haven't been playing our best basketball at home. They deserve our best version of basketball and tonight was definitely fun for them.”
Adebayo had 15 points and 16 rebounds and Butler scored 15 points for the Heat, who led by 45 in the fourth quarter. Their biggest lead this season entering Sunday was 33, also against Cleveland on Nov. 22, and the 45-point cushion was their largest since leading Chicago by 46 in a playoff game on May 8, 2013.
Miami started the day seventh in the Eastern Conference and ended there as well, tied with Philadelphia at 39-32. The 76ers won at the Los Angeles Clippers earlier Sunday, but currently trail the Heat because of the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Miami was coming off a 23-point loss to New Orleans on Friday.
“This group really cares. Even after a night like the other night ... when it’s a really lopsided loss and you can erroneously say, ‘that’s a listless team,’ it’s not," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “This is a team that cares deeply.”
Evan Mobley scored 15 points for Cleveland (43-28), which lost for the seventh time in 10 games but remained No. 3 in the East, a half-game ahead of New York.
Both teams were short-handed Sunday. Cleveland got Mobley back after a nine-game absence with an ankle issue, but was again without Donovan Mitchell , Max Strus and Dean Wade . Miami played without Tyler Herro , Kevin Love , Duncan Robinson and Jaime Jaquez Jr .
“Mentally, physically, we're worn,” Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “It's on us all to figure it out. There's no excuses. It doesn’t get any easier. But I just think tonight was one of those nights where collectively, it just set in on us.”
It was the first time since Jan. 30, 2008, that Cleveland had only one player in double figures; it was LeBron James that night.
“Just one of those nights,” Bickerstaff said.
Terry Rozier and Thomas Bryant each scored 14 for Miami. It was Miami’s biggest victory margin of the season and Cleveland’s most lopsided loss; the previous entry in both cases was also a Heat-Cavs game, the 129-96 win by Miami in November.
The Heat got a buzzer-beating layup from Rozier to end the first quarter with a 30-22 lead. Rozier did the same thing to end the second quarter, that score pushing the Miami margin out to 60-39.
And in the third, it became a runaway. A 23-2 run over a five-minute stretch wound up pushing Miami's lead to 86-46. Cleveland pulled all five starters just 3 1/2 minutes into the third and four of them — Isaac Okoro , Jarrett Allen , Caris LeVert and Darius Garland — stayed there the rest of the way.