MIAMI, FL--- The Cavs got a big win Friday night in Miami, defeating the Heat 111-99, this was the start of a tough 4 game road trip for the Cavs featuring the Heat, Magic and 2 games against a well rested Celtics team in Boston. The Cavs would overcome a 16 point 2nd quarter deficit to eventually take the lead before halftime, then run away with the game in the 3rd quarter and beyond.
The Cavs would be without Evan Mobley due to left knee soreness, then without Darius Garland as he would have 3 fouls within the first few minutes of the game. The first quarter was a very low scoring affair, it would end with the Heat leading the Cavs 25-17 with the Cavs struggling big time from the field, they would only shoot 29% from the field. The Heat would then get out to as much as a 16 point lead in the 2nd quarter, controlling for the majority until the Cavs would slowly start to chip away at the lead, with around 4 and a half minutes to go in the half, the Cavs would score 13 straight points to cut the lead down to 3, eventually tying the game at 44 thanks to a Dean Wade 3 pointer. Then with around a minute left in the half, Sam Merrill nailed a 3 pointer of his own to give the Cavs a 51-50 lead, taking a 53-52 lead into halftime.
The Cavs woke up in the 3rd quarter, getting out to a 14 point lead with help from Darius Garland coming off the bench after his foul trouble, Garland would finish with 18 points, 4 steals and 6 assists. Donovan Mitchell was also a big time contributor in both the 3rd and 4th quarters, finishing with his 23rd straight game scoring 20+ points, Friday night he scored 27 points while pulling in 13 rebounds. In the 4th, the Cavs led by as many as 18, continuing their red hot momentum form the start of the 3rd quarter after scoring the first 13 points of the 2nd half, going on to win 111-99.
The Cavs will hang out in Florida, taking on the Orlando Magic Monday night at 7:00 pm.