Heat vs. Cavaliers
Miami too hot for Cleveland wins at home 98-79.
MIAMI — If there was any question about the Miami Heat’s split personality, Tuesday night’s 98-79 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers was the latest evidence.
A team that has lost 11 of its last 12 road games, the Heat have now won 10 of their last 11 home games.
The Cavaliers, of course, know plenty about the Heat’s ability to inflict misery on their home court, with this Cleveland’s 14th consecutive loss at AmericanAirlines Arena, without a win in the building since Jan. 5, 2010, before LeBron James both joined and then left the Heat.
After struggling to close out close games on the just-completed 0-2 trip against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers, the Heat this time pushed to an early 23-point lead and held on from there.
With two more victories in their final seven games, the Heat will be assured of a return to the playoffs after a one-year absence, regardless of any other outcomes.
Up next for the Heat are five consecutive games against lottery teams, starting Thursday against the visiting Chicago Bulls in the second game of this four-game homestand.
While it was LeBron James or bust for the Cavaliers, with James closing with 18 points, seven assists and six rebounds, the Heat again spread the offense, with Kelly Olynyk scoring 19, James Johnson 15, Josh Richardson 15, Dwyane Wade 12 and Goran Dragic 10.
But this wasn’t about offense, it was about the Heat defense shutting down an opponent that had scored 120 or more in its
With two more victories in their final seven games, the Heat will be assured of a return to the playoffs after a oneyear absence.