“ We always talk about the same thing. Every night, we can control whether or not we are the best team on the field. Are we the most competitive? » No doubts to have for JB Bickerstaff At the end of this game, his Cavaliers were on the Heat floor (111-99).
Led by Donovan Mitchell in great form (27 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists), the Ohio players dominated their subject after the break, despite being deprived of their interior, Evan Mobley (knee). Where opposite, Bam Adebayo (hip), watched from the bench, in civilian clothes, his Heat team sometimes lacking offensive inspiration.
The two teams, who had the same balance sheet before the match (12 wins – 9 losses), were nevertheless almost tied at the break (52-53). A few minutes earlier, the Floridians had even had the luxury of being up to 16 points ahead (39-23), benefiting from contributions from several very inspired bench players.
Jimmy Butler uninspired
Kevin Love, author of a double-double and several very effective recovery passes, Josh Richardson, very inspired from afar, and rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr., incisive near the circle, all three contributed a lot. And compensated for the bankruptcy of certain starters, like Jimmy Butler who was sometimes doubtful in his offensive choices.
The Heat may have relied on six players in a range of 14 to 17 points scored, but they had a lot of difficulty expressing themselves after the break. As a result, the Floridians did not reach the symbolic mark of 100 points scored, which is fatal for them this season: five occurrences, as many defeats.
The locals were especially punished by the Cavs who were much too strong after the break. With a fiery Donovan Mitchell, well supported by Darius Garland, and a few shooters, like Georges Niang or Sam Merrill. And a very solid defense, embodied for example in the 13 stolen balls, almost three times more than the opposing team, which led to a number of easy points on the counter-attack (23 to 11).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The fatal “run”. Taking a time-out two minutes after the break is never a good sign. Erik Spoelstra had no other choice when he saw his team, helpless, being cut up. Donovan Mitchell had just scored a first 3-point basket, first intention, then a second, then a third. That's a 13-0 almost on its own, transformed into 16-1 after another award-winning basket from Darius Garland. Suddenly trailing by 16 points (53-69), the Heat, who stood still in the opposing racket during this sequence, will not really recover from this conceded “run”.
– Shooters in the tough. Very mixed first return to Miami for Max Strus who certainly contributed 11 points, but needed… 17 shots to reach this mark (4/17 including 2/11 from distance)! Another shooter suffered even more than him: Duncan Robinson, author of a very small point after missing all his attempts from distance (0/6).
– The Cavaliers travel well. The Cleveland club now has a record of seven wins and three defeats away from home, the best record in the league in this regard, tied with the Thunder and the Wolves. The Heat have a record of five wins in nine home games.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
