Heat Defeat Cavs 121-84 Using Dominant Bench Play

Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler each added 15 points, with Adebayo also grabbing 16 rebounds. The Heat managed to build a 45-point lead in the fourth quarter, marking their largest advantage since a playoff game against Chicago in May 2013.

Despite the win, the Heat remained seventh in the Eastern Conference, tied with Philadelphia at a 39-32 record. The victory was a much-needed bounce-back for Miami, following a 23-point defeat to New Orleans just days prior.

“This group really cares. Even after a night like the other night … when it’s a really lopsided loss and you can erroneously say, ‘that’s a listless team,’ it’s not,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “This is a team that cares deeply.”

Cleveland, facing its own challenges, suffered its seventh loss in 10 games but remained third in the East. The Cavaliers welcomed back Evan Mobley, who scored 15 points after missing nine games, but were without key players Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, and Dean Wade due to injuries. It was the first time since January 2008 that only one player scored in double figures in a game.

“Mentally, physically, we’re worn,” Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “It’s on us all to figure it out. There’s no excuses. It doesn’t get any easier. But I just think tonight was one of those nights where collectively, it just set in on us.”

Terry Rozier and Thomas Bryant each contributed 14 points for Miami, underscoring the Heat’s dominant performance and securing their biggest victory margin of the season against Cleveland’s most significant loss.

As both teams prepare for their next matchups, with the Cavaliers hosting Charlotte and the Heat facing Golden State, they’ll look to build on the lessons from this game.