The Heat earned their way back over the .500 mark with Saturday night’s win, with an 11-10 record and sitting at the sixth seed in the East. They are just .5 games behind fifth and 2.0 behind fourth, and have gone 6-3 in their last nine matchups. Miami is also undefeated in their new blood red jerseys (4-0) and 6-2 with their revamped starting lineup of Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, Jimmy Butler, Haywood Highsmith and Bam Adebayo.
That group combined for 99 of the Heat’s 121 points yesterday, with Butler and Herro shooting 17 of 24 from the field on masterful efficiency of 71% out of the duo. Adebayo was also 9 of 16 on 57%.
Heat fans finally saw the true potential of this Big three, and their top heavy talent in the lineup will be crucial to earn the upset over Cleveland.
The Cavs have been led by Donovan Mitchell’s 24.2 points per game, but a lot of their identity comes on the inside from Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Mobley dropped an elite 41 points and 10 rebounds double-double in their win yesterday against the Charlotte Hornets.
With Miami’s small ball lineup sporting an undersized Highsmith at the power forward position, it will be interesting to see what kind of defensive schemes they throw at Cleveland’s lengthy frontcourt. Can the Heat continue their recent success in an upset and expand to their first three-game winning streak?
