CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers erupted for a season-best 149 points and routed the Miami Heat 149-128 on Friday night at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Center Jarrett Allen returned after missing 10 games with a knee injury and delivered 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting plus 10 rebounds in only 18 minutes. “His force to the rim and his athleticism at both ends made a huge difference,” head coach Kenny Atkinson said.
Max Strus sparked Cleveland (46-28) with a game-high 29 points, hitting 10 of 14 attempts and providing what Atkinson called “an immediate spark with relentless energy.”
The Cavaliers scored 81 points by halftime and led by as many as 39. They finished the night shooting 59.1 percent from the field and 46.9 percent from three-point range.
Even with Donovan Mitchell limited to six points on 1-for-10 shooting, the offense rolled. “Donovan went 1-of-10 and we put up 149,” Atkinson noted.
Evan Mobley added 23 points and 10 rebounds, while James Harden compiled 17 points and 14 assists. Thomas Bryant scored 11, and Sam Merrill and Keon Ellis chipped in 10 apiece.
Miami (39-35) placed nine players in double figures two nights after defeating Cleveland, but could not keep pace. The Heat trimmed a 39-point deficit in the fourth quarter, with several late points coming after the outcome was settled.
The Cavaliers now embark on a three-game Western swing, visiting Utah on Monday, the Lakers on Tuesday and Golden State later in the week. Eight regular-season games remain; two are against Atlanta, which currently sits one spot behind Cleveland in the Eastern Conference standings.
“We answered the challenge,” Strus said of the bounce-back victory.
Source: Hoops Wire
