Heat Set Franchise Record in 53-Point Opening Quarter; Cavs Target Easier Looks for Mobley; Clippers Urge Patience
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Miami, Cleveland and Los Angeles each faced different storylines on a busy NBA slate.
Heat score 53 in first quarter, top Hornets in NBA Cup
The Miami Heat erupted for a franchise-best 53 points in the opening period and defeated the Charlotte Hornets 126-108 on Tuesday in an NBA Cup group game. The outburst was the second-highest first quarter in league history, trailing only Golden State’s 55 against Portland in April 2023.
Norman Powell finished with 25 points as Miami raced to a 64-38 cushion less than 15 minutes into the contest, one day after head coach Erik Spoelstra’s house was damaged by fire. Charlotte answered with a 27-2 run to pull within 66-65 late in the second quarter, but the Heat never relinquished the lead and steadied themselves in the fourth.
According to ESPN Stats & Information, Miami became just the second team in the shot-clock era to score at least 50 points in one quarter and fewer than 20 in the next. Andrew Wiggins added 22 points, and Pelle Larsson scored 19 for the Heat. The previous franchise record for points in any quarter was 48.
Cavaliers seek better looks for Evan Mobley
The Cleveland Cavaliers posted 148 points in Friday’s road win over the Washington Wizards, yet assistant coach Kenny Atkinson said the staff remains focused on optimizing Evan Mobley’s touches. Mobley had 18 points on 7-for-16 shooting and has been held below 50 percent from the field in six of nine games this season.
“We’re intentional about getting him the ball more, but I feel like we can get him the ball in better positions,” Atkinson told reporters, noting the 22-year-old’s shift toward more perimeter pull-ups and self-created attempts. Cleveland hopes to balance Mobley’s expanded range without sacrificing efficiency.
Clippers stay calm after 3-5 start
The Los Angeles Clippers fell to 3-5 after Thursday’s loss to the Phoenix Suns, but head coach Tyronn Lue said there is no reason to panic. “We really haven’t had the chance to get to our full potential as far as lineups and things like that,” Lue explained. “We just gotta be patient, let our guys get healthy and then we’ll see.”
The Clippers continue to navigate early-season injuries while searching for lineup continuity.
Source: Hoops Wire
