Cleveland, Dec. 14 (US): Kevin Love hit five three-pointers and scored all 23 of his second-half points, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to their fourth straight win 105-94 over the Miami Heat on Monday night.
Love made 6 out of 10 field goals, 5 of 8 from outside the arc, hitting all six of his free throws in his best game of the season. The Associated Press reported that he also grabbed nine rebounds.
The Cavaliers racked up four straight double-digit wins and moved up to fourth in the Eastern Conference at 17-12.
“We’re living in the moment, but our big goals are approaching the end of the year,” Love said. “Two things we do very well are competing and playing in defence. And on an offensive level, that’s the thing about this team, anyone at any time can motivate it.”
Isaac Okoro scored 18 points, Garrett Allen 17 points, eight rebounds and three assists, and Darius Garland added 16 points and five assists for Cleveland, who have won eight of their last 10 games.
“Kevin has gone to the top of the mountain, so a little bit of blood, sweat and tears is nothing for him after that,” Cavaliers coach JB Bickerstaff said. “He’s leading us in that way. We all know his commitment to and support for this team.”
PJ Tucker scored a season-high 23 points, nine rebounds and five assists, Kyle Lowry scored 22 points and Tyler Hero 12 points for the Heat. Miami saw its two-game winning streak in the opening game of a four-game run.
The Heat had 11 players in uniform and they were without Jimmy Butler, who missed his third game in a row with bruising to his tailbone. Forward Caleb Martin is included in the NBA’s health and safety protocols for COVID-19.
“Honestly, we didn’t communicate well enough on the defensive side,” Lowry said. “That’s what killed us, but scoring 94 points isn’t enough.”
Love also hit a season high with 24 minutes, giving Cleveland their biggest lead of 100-84 with the last 3 pointers. The five-time superstar is off the bench for the first time since 2009-2010 with the Timberwolves.
“Kevin threw his wand to the side and got out and out of place,” Allen said with a laugh. “He played amazingly.”
And the rookie Evan Mobley of the Cavaliers was satisfied with nine points and five rebounds. Ricky Rubio scored seven points and seven assists, becoming the 12th active player with 5,000 assists.
After Cleveland jumped forward 55-41, Miami used a 23-9 first-half extended run to tie the score on the Tucker jumper. Love answered with a pointer of 3 to put the Cavaliers ahead for survival.
“We play excellent basketball and do everything we can as a team, and it works,” Allen said.
Neither team advanced by more than six until Allen Dunk put the Cavaliers ahead 46-38 with 2:51 per second remaining. The Heat attempted 19 three-pointers before making his first free throw, and finished 13 of 40 in 3s and 5 of 9 from the foul streak.
calm
After playing in Miami on Saturday, the Bulls’ next two games have been postponed due to the COVID outbreak on the team. Positive test results in the NBA and the National Hockey League are starting to affect the league’s schedules, but Heat coach Eric Spoelstra isn’t panicking. “It’s not something we can control,” Spoelstra said. “This is the world we live in. We feel blessed that our profession continues to move forward with proper precautions.”
Hint
Heat: J Victor Oladipo (recovering from a right knee injury) traveled with the team to Cleveland, but coach Eric Spoelstra said that doesn’t mean a timetable has been set for his return. Oladipo underwent quadriceps surgery on May 13…C Bam Adebayo (right thumb surgery) won’t be back until at least January. …. He has not played F Markieff Morris (neck injury) since November 8th.
Cavaliers: F Evan Mobley tops all starters with seven doubles. Cleveland is 6-1 in those games. … bi-directional Sea Taco Fall, a fan favorite among Cavaliers and Celtics fans, is still on the active list. The 7-foot-6 producer in Central Florida has five points and five rebounds in 25 minutes this season. …G Dylan Windler has been called up from his G League assignment after averaging 16.7 points in three games.
next one
Heat: Visit Philadelphia on a Wednesday night.
Cavaliers: Hosts Houston on Wednesday night.