Clamping down: Wade, Heat stop Cavaliers, 98-79

MHornets — on Wednesday.

“We missed shots early and we allowed their pressure to take us out of some of the stuff that we wanted to do,” Cavs interim coach Larry Drew said.

Rodney Hood added 15 points for Cleveland. It was Miami’s 14th consecutive home win over the Cavaliers, including a 4-0 mark when James plays in Miami since leaving the Heat after the 2014 NBA Finals.

This shows the type of defensive team we can be,” Heat guard Goran Dragic said.

Cleveland came in averaging 31 points per quarter over its last five games, then managed only 34 in the first half against the Heat. Cleveland showed life in the third, getting within 13 late in the quarter. But Miami was still up 75-59 going into the fourth, after Wade — moments after checking in for the first time in about an hour of real time — connected on a step-back jumper with 17 seconds left in the third.

“That’s why he is who he is,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.

Cavaliers: James has played in all 74 Cavs games, matching his total from last season. It was his first time playing at Miami since March 19, 2016. ... Cleveland changed its starting lineup, with Jeff Green in for Larry Nance Jr . ... Kyle Korver remained away from the team, one day after the funeral for his brother. Korver is expected back soon, though the team has not revealed if an exact comeback date has been determined.

Heat: Spoelstra was back with the team, two days after he and his wife Nikki’s first child — Santiago Ray Spoelstra — was born . ... Miami was down two centers — Hassan Whiteside (left hip) remains out, and Bam Adebayo missed the game with a sprained ankle that the Heat think will be better in a few days.

In three games against Miami this season, the Cavaliers used a total of 20 players. The only Cavs to play in all three meetings were James, J.R. Smith and Tristan Thompson.

Miami’s next five games are all against teams well out of the playoff picture, with the next three of those games — against Chicago, Brooklyn and Atlanta — all at home. After road games at Atlanta and New York, the Heat then finish at home against Oklahoma City and Toronto.

Cavaliers: Visit Charlotte on Wednesday.

Heat: Host Chicago on Thursday.