NBA: Cavaliers see good process in bad result entering Heat rematch

The return of small forward Norman Powell to the starting lineup helped the Miami Heat snap a five-game losing streak and move into sole possession of eighth place in the Eastern Conference.

Powell, a first-time All-Star, had come off the bench in three of his previous four games. Back in the starting five, he led Miami with 19 points in a 120-103 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday.

Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said the lineup of center Bam Adebayo, forwards Powell and Andrew Wiggins, and guards Tyler Herro and Davion Mitchell would now be permanent.

“We stayed together, figured it out and were able to get our offense back clicking,” Powell said. “We have it in us to hold the line and not get sideways and let go of the rope. I thought we did a great job of trusting one another.”

Herro added 18 points for Miami (39-34), while big men Adebayo and Kel’el Ware dominated Cleveland counterparts Evan Mobley and Thomas Bryant. Adebayo finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, while Ware contributed 13 points, 11 defensive rebounds, and four assists off the bench.

Cleveland’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year Mobley scored just eight points, and Bryant had four.

“We just need to defend. We know we can score,” said Adebayo, who was 6-of-19 from the field, including 1-of-9 on 3-pointers. “We’ve put up some 140-point games. It’s about the other side of the ball.”

The Cavaliers (45-28), who had won four straight, were booed throughout the first half, which they never led. Miami built a lead as large as 21 points but briefly squandered a 57-36 advantage. Pelle Larsson and Jaime Jaquez Jr. helped seal the win in the final nine minutes, outscoring Cleveland 32-13. Larsson scored nine of his 14 points in the fourth quarter, while Jaquez added seven of his 14.

Cleveland went ahead 86-85 early in the fourth quarter on Keon Ellis’ three-pointer, then led 90-88 on Nae’Qwan Tomlin’s free throws before Miami pulled away. The Cavaliers had played the previous night, defeating the visiting Orlando Magic 136-131.

“I’m pleased with the process. I thought we competed,” Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson said. “I liked our spirit. I liked our compete. That’s my job as a coach—not necessarily look at the score but see if we’re carrying through on the plan.”

Donovan Mitchell, who scored 28 points before fouling out for the first time in his career, also highlighted positives.

“We let it slip, but we see them again on Friday,” he said. “You’ve got to give Miami credit—they made some shots. We know we can rally from 21 down and play the way we did in the second half.”

James Harden contributed 18 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists for the Heat, despite five turnovers.

Miami now leads the season series 2-1 against Cleveland, having split a pair of games in South Florida during November. The Heat face the Cavaliers again in a second consecutive road matchup on Friday night.

—Field Level Media/Reuters