Recap: Cavs 105, Heat 117 (or, Miami Vise Grips)

The Cavs put up a valiant, if uneven, effort in South Florida falling short to the Miami Heat 105-117. Clearly Miami was motivated and focused to make a statement against the Cavs, who have already won the season series 2-1. Let’s dive into the takeaways…

1. Turnovers decided the game

Ironically the Cavs were vulnerable to the same type of game plan to which Miami is also vulnerable, creating turnovers for easy baskets to avoid a set defense. The Cavs have been one of the top passing teams in the NBA this season according to assist rate, but are also the second most turnover prone team in the NBA. That bit the Cavs tonight who lost the turnover battle 18-9, and the points off turnover battle 30-10. Darius Garland was simply off his game tonight, with seven turnovers tonight. Valuing the basketball is a constant lesson the NBA presents, and the Cavs learned that lesson tonight. Miami’s defense was crisp and physical, with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo dominating the game on the defensive side of the ball with three steals each.

2. The Cavs’ defense a shell of its former self

The Cavs’ defensive rating pre-Rubio injury: 103.9 per 100 possessions, ranked #2 in the NBA
The Cavs’ defensive rating post-Rubio injury: 110.9 per 100 possessions, ranked #12 in the NBA
The Cavs’ defensive rating post-Allen injury: 113.9 per 100 possessions, ranked #13 in the NBA

The numbers here really tell the story of a Cavs’ team that’s lost its defensive identity losing two of their best defenders in Ricky Rubio and Jarrett Allen. Those guys can’t just be replaced, a collective effort is required to overcome such losses. Who’s going to step up to the challenge and up their game? Isaac Okoro needs to become more disruptive and create plays defensively. Lamar Stevens needs to make major improvements to his offensive game. Dean Wade needs to shoot the damn ball, ditto Dylan Windler. There’s a massive opportunity for some of the grinders on the team to earn a bigger role.

3. Game co-MVPs: Evan Mobley and Kevin Love

All was not lost tonight, Evan Mobley in his second full stint at center was productive with a very efficient 19 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, a steal, and a block in 34 minutes. More and more Point Center Mobley keeps leaking out, check out this inverted pick and roll with DG!

Doing #MobleyROTY things 🤷‍♂️

📺 #CavsHeat on @BallySportsCLE pic.twitter.com/1gPRf4pqmk

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) March 12, 2022

NBA Champion Kevin Love was cooking early with 11 points, 8 rebounds, two assists, and a steal in 22 minutes. His offense completely change the late first/early second quarter fortunes for the Cavs. Love was frankly failed by the point guards and Coach J.B. Bickerstaff for not riding the hot hand more.

4. Quick note on the Heat

Clearly the Heat missed Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo from the previous meetings against the Cavs earlier in the year. They’ve been on a ridiculous tear since the beginning of February, which is when they got largely healthy. Even though they’re at the top of a very competitive Eastern Conference, there are more than a few NBA fans who feel that they’re more fraudulent than legit contender. Why so? One reason is Jimmy Butler and the Heat’s flame out last season in the playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks. Another reason is a perceived lack of scoring punch. Their best isolation scorer is probably Tyler Herro, their young sixth man off the bench. Will Kyle Lowry find the fountain of youth in the playoffs? Will Victor Oladipo ever find his game again? There doesn’t appear to be much to envy about Miami’s ability to get an iso bucket against a set defense in the playoffs. But their defense is legit, they have some dawgs, and they’re somehow flying under the radar with the Sixers, Nets, Bucks, and Celtics sucking up all the conversation. A defensive team with a chip on their shoulder? It sounds like a dangerous combo.

5. Next up, red eye to Windy City

The Cavs head due north to the Windy City to take on the Chicago Bulls in another massive Eastern Conference clash of elites tomorrow night. The Bulls are in a somewhat similar situation as the Cavs, suffering through injury turmoil that has turned their defense sour. Outside of the Cavs, the Bulls have the worst record among Eastern Conference playoff teams over the last 10 games. Supposedly there are rumors that Alex Caruso could be back, which would be an exponential boost to their perimeter defense. The Cavs have their work cut out for them, and the pressure is mounting to keep the sixth seed. Thankfully, the Cavs love themselves a challenge, Go Cavs!