Heat pull away in fourth quarter

MIAMI >> Josh Richardson scored 20 points, Rodney McGruder had a sevenpoint possession in the fourth quarter to help put the game away, and the Heat beat the Cavaliers, 126-110, on March 8. Bam Adebayo scored 17 points and Justise Winslow finished with 16 points, nine rebounds and nine assists for the Heat, who beat Cleveland at home for the 16th consecutive time and extended their current winning streak to four games. Kelly Olynyk scored 15, McGruder had 13 and Dwyane Wade finished with 12 for Miami. And what amounted to a seven-point play by McGruder came in a 22-second span of the fourth. He made a 3-pointer from the left corner while getting flagrantly fouled by Kevin Love. McGruder made the ensuing free throw, Miami retained the ball because of the flagrant, and McGruder then made a 3 from the right corner. A nine-point game became a 16-point game in an instant and the Heat weren’t in trouble again. Collin Sexton led Cleveland with 27 points. Jordan Clarkson scored 21, Love had 19 and Brandon Knight finished with 15 for the Cavaliers. The Cavs lost Larry Nance Jr. to a chest injury in the third quarter, and he did not return. He was scoreless in 17 minutes. It was Miami’s third game in five days — and like the first two, it was tied at halftime. Neither team ever led by more than five points in the opening 24 minutes, which featured 22 lead changes and 13 ties. Cleveland outscored Miami 29-28 in the first quarter, the Heat outscored the Cavaliers 29-28 in the second, and that adds up to a 5757 knotting at intermission. But in the third, the Heat got separation. Miami shot 68 percent in the quarter and went into the fourth up 94-83.

Tip-ins

CAVALIERS >> Love said he hasn’t decided if he will be part of USA Basketball’s quest to win the Basketball World Cup in China this summer. He’ll give it more serious thought after the season. “USA Basketball has been very good to me in my career,” Love said . ... Matthew Dellavedova (concussion protocol) missed the game. He took a hard hit late in the game at Brooklyn on March 6. HEAT >> A video tribute to former Heat forward Chris “Birdman” Andersen played in the third quarter. Andersen was at the game . ... Olynyk has made at least one 3-pointer in 11 consecutive games, a new career high. He had 10-game streaks on three other occasions . ... Friday marked the first game this season where the Heat had no players ruled out with injuries. James Johnson (shoulder) was active, but missed his eighth consecutive game.

LYNNE SLADKY — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Cavaliers guard Jordan Clarkson is fouled by Heat center Hassan Whiteside during the first half March 8 in Miami.

LYNNE SLADKY — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Kevin Love drives to the basket as Heat forward Justise Winslow defends during the second half March 8 in Miami.