The Miami Heat dominated the Cleveland Cavaliers in one of the best wins of the season.
In one of the most anticipated games of the season, the Miami Heat flat out annihilated the Cleveland Cavaliers Saturday 122-101, leading by upwards of 20 points for much of the second half and forcing LeBron James to the bench for the fourth quarter. In other words, it was lit in AmericanAirlines Arena.
Here are a few notes from the game.
1. 20,000
Dwyane Wade became the 41st player in NBA history to score 20,000 career points. Wade, who talked about being out of rhythm since the All-Star break, found his stroke against James and the Cavs. He finished with 24 points on 10-of-17 shooting, and sat for much of the final period.
It was almost predictable that Wade would get going against his friend and former teammate James–who is also in the 20,000 point club. Wade scored his points in the flow of the offense, keeping up the fast pace that Goran Dragic pushes and picking his spots.
Wade scored 12 of his 24 points in the third quarter, helping the Heat to score nearly 100 points through three quarters and essentially end the game early.
2. Dominating the boards
The Heat controlled this game, and perhaps no stat is better in showing that than the 42-26 rebound advantage Miami had over the Cavaliers. Hassan Whiteside had 13 of those rebounds, but everyone else contributed as well, with Wade and Dragic grabbing four a piece.
Erik Spoelstra is encouraging his players to go after boards, turn and push the ball down the court. It’s a smart way to end opponent possessions and increase the rate of their own possessions.
3. Splash Brothers East?
Joe Johnson and Josh Richardson combined to go 8-of-12 from 3-point range in the game. Johnson finished with 18 points and Richardson finished with 19 points. Richardson drained three 3s in the second quarter to help Miami to a 65-44 halftime lead. Johnson made two 3s in the third quarter. The addition of Johnson and the revelation of Richardson has essentially given the Heat two bonafide 3-point shooters.
4. Dragic is having fun
I’ve seen Dragic smile more since the All-Star break than I have since he joined the Heat, and he may have had his most human moment when he failed on a dunk attempt late in the game that he had to turn into a layup at the last minute.
Wade and Deng joined Dragic in a good laugh in what is one of the better moments of the season.
5. Confidence
The Heat approached and played the game with confidence. Check that. Swagger. They shot with confidence, they defended sternly and maintained a lead as they ran the Cavs–the top seed in the Eastern Conference–out of the building. It’s a confidence-building win that could carry over into a potential playoff series.