MIAMI – Furious with his team after an early defensive meltdown, Cleveland Cavaliers coach JB Bickerstaff asked for a 53-second timeout. It was a sinister sign.
The Cavs lost to the Miami Heat 113–98 on Tuesday night. It is the fourth straight loss and the third consecutive double-digit loss. It is the 19th consecutive time that they have lost in Miami – a mind-boggling streak that goes back more than a decade.
Miami opened the game with a tray from Duncan Robinson. Then the Cleveland villain, Kelly Olynyk, hit a 3-point ball from the right wing, as Larry Nance Jr. did not step forward and Isaac Okoro was unable to fight on Jimmy Butler’s screen. With the Heat scoring the first five points, Cavs needed to regroup quickly.
The exasperated team returned to the huddle and Bickerstaff pulled Nance aside, trying to discuss the defensive strategy. The two continued to talk during the stoppage, causing Nance to grab Bickerstaff’s clipboard and begin to draw his vision of the collapse. Eventually, Nance pointed at Okoro on the bench and then Nance hit his own chest, admitting his mistake.
“There were two situations where we just needed to have a conversation and teach how to deal with it,” said Bickerstaff. “It was just a teaching point and that was it.”
The Cavs scored the next nine points. This section that followed was the highlight. Miami finished the second quarter with a 23-12 run, leading 62-48 in the middle. The Heat put him in cruise control from there, increasing the lead to 22 at one point and holding on to a push at the end of the Cleveland game.
The attack was a problem for the third consecutive game outside the All-Star range, while the Cavs continues to pursue the pace that led to a pre-break wave and renewed positive vibes. Cavs scored 2 out of 18 in the 3-point streak in the first half, having to fight uphill before finishing a more respectable 10 out of 35 overall. But they failed to break the 100-point mark once again. They committed 14 laps and only 23 assists in 39 shots.
“I think they are beautiful,” said Bickerstaff. “I think our boys are doing an excellent job of sharing and moving the ball and there are shots. They are pretty. We just need to continue to shoot them with confidence and take them down. “
Collin Sexton’s post-range shooting fights also continued. Sexton scored 21 points out of 7 out of 17 on the field and 2 out of 8 beyond the hoop. Sexton is shooting 36.5% of the field in the first three games of the second half.
“Being in this league, you have to give credit to the defenses at times and tonight you saw every time he played, they made him a pair,” said Bickerstaff of Sexton’s tough night. “I thought he did the right thing and I tried to get out of it as much as I could. Some nights, this is going to be what he has to do and I think he did a good job of acknowledging that tonight. “
Nance, holder of 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 generated a massive turnaround at the Heat. Butler, one of five double-digit holders, scored 28 points, 12 rebounds and four assists.
It is Miami’s 11th victory in the last 12 games, moving to fourth place in the Eastern Conference.
At one point in the fourth period, following one of Butler’s buckets, Cedi Osman walked over to the bench, hit the Gatorade cooler and threw the bandana on the floor before teammates came to console him. Cavs’ stellar game before the nine-day layoff has not continued – and the frustration is clearly growing.
“Of course we are frustrated,” admitted Nance. “All three teams have won 20 at one point or another is frustrating. We understand that. We are also frustrated. But acclimatize a guy who … I played 37 minutes tonight and I haven’t played in a month. Like, this is not easy for me. This is not easy for Bull (Sexton). This is not easy for Darius (Garland), Isaac, Jarrett (Allen), P (JaVale McGee), Dean (Wade), there are many adjustments to be made. We only have a little adversity to fight for.
“One thing you can count on: we are not going to give up. We will find that out. Let’s fix this ship. “
Showcase?
The JaVale McGee support center has been in recent business rumors, linked to the Brooklyn Nets, in need of attack. The Heat may also need another big one. McGee gave a show to interested suitors, scoring 16 points out of 8 out of 10 pitches to go with eight rebounds and two blocks.
Next
The Cavs will return home for the second consecutive game against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night. Delivery is scheduled for 20h
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New Cavs face masks for sale: This is where you can buy Cleveland Cavaliers-themed facial covers for protection against coronavirus, including a single mask ($ 14.99) and a pack of 3 ($ 24.99). All NBA proceeds donated to charities.
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