The Cleveland Cavaliers made it 17 straight home wins after destroying the Miami Heat 114-88 Thursday night, using a balanced attack to finish with season split vs. Miami at two games apiece.
Cleveland (49-27) was without Kevin Love, who continues to battle back problems. But his teammates provided all the love that was necessary. Kyrie Irving shared game scoring honors with LeBron James, posting 23 points and five assists. He was listed as questionable before the game due an illness in the morning.
James ran the plays with seven assists and eight rebounds in 35 minutes. James Jones picked up his second start of the season, filling in for Love, and registered six points in 23 minutes.
The Cavaliers are a perfect 21-0 at The Q when scoring at least 100 points.
If the NBA wants a first-round Heat-Cavaliers matchup, it more complicated midway through the second quarter. That’s when Dwyane Wade drove baseline and tweaked his left knee after his right foot planted awkwardly. He fell to the floor holding his knee in obvious pain.
Play was eventually put to a halt and Wade rose on his own power to walk to the bench. A few minutes later he departed to the locker room and never returned. After Wade’s departure, the Heat closed the half by outscoring the Cavaliers 19-11 to enter the break down 11 from what was a 19-point deficit.
But without the threat of Wade, Miami (34-41) was unable to manufacture quality looks to really make it a game in the second half. The Cavaliers would build their lead to as much as 26 points in the fourth.
Hassan Whiteside and Luol Deng both had 17 points and eight rebounds for Miami, which is now tied with Brooklyn for the No. 7 seed, just a half-game ahead of Boston.
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