The Miami Heat are streaking.
Not one, not two, not three but a club record-tying eight Heat players scored in double figures, and the Heat beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 126-110 on Friday night for their fourth straight win.
“It is amazing what you can accomplish in this league when you don’t care who the leading scorer is, who is getting the most shots, who is getting the shine,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “Everybody can benefit when your team is playing well. And you are truly enjoying someone else’s success, it is a lot of fun, and you see that with our group.”
Miami beat Cleveland at home for the 16th consecutive time, a Heat record against any opponent.
“You build momentum, you build an identity, you build your habits, and you trust it,” Spoelstra said. “The hardest thing to is to trust it no matter what that result is. We have been playing good basketball for a while. We just were not able to close out these tough games.”
Josh Richardson was the captain of the ship; he scored 20 points. Bam Adebayo scored 17 points, and Justise Winslow finished with 16 points, nine rebounds and nine assists for the Heat. Kelly Olynyk finished with 15, 13 from McGruder, 12 from Dwyane Wade, and 11 apiece from Goran Dragic and Hassan Whiteside.
In one possession, Rodney McGruder scored seven points for the Heat. He made a 3-pointer from the left corner while a flagrant foul was called on Kevin Love during his attempt. McGruder made the ensuing free throw, Miami retained the possession because of the flagrant, and McGruder then made a three from the right corner.
There was no turning back for the Heat from there.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” McGruder said.
It was Miami’s third game in five days.
Collin Sexton led Cleveland, who were officially eliminated from playoff contention with 27 points. Jordan Clarkson scored 21, Love had 19, and Brandon Knight finished with 15 for the Cavaliers. Cavaliers lost Larry Nance Jr. to a chest injury in the third quarter, and he did not return.
With three 3s made, Sexton broke Kyrie Irving’s club rookie for 3s by a rookie. The Cavs as a team made 19 in the game.
The beat goes on.
Cavaliers host Toronto on Monday. The Heat host Toronto on Sunday.
