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00:03The teams head to the locker room with the Heat on top, 63-46.
00:08Coming up on the Kengan Lakeia Halftime Report, we'll hear from Kaylee and AC.
00:13We will also hear from an assistant coach.
00:16You're watching Tabs Basketball on FanDuel Sports Network.
00:2111 points in the first half as his Heat are on top, 63-46.
00:26The Cavaliers are no strangers to coming from behind this season.
00:3115 times they've erased a deficit of 10 points or more.
00:35There's a look to do the same here in Quarters 3 and 4.
00:39As it is time now for our Bring It Home Thought of the Night presented by Rocket.
00:43As moments ago, Serena caught up with assistant coach Trevor Hendry.
00:48Thanks, John.
00:49Coach, take me inside the message of the locker room at halftime.
00:52Yeah, I think some parts of the game our process has been right.
00:54I mean, offensively, I think we're holding it a little too long against the zone.
00:58Make a couple quicker decisions I think would be good there.
01:01Biggest thing is we just got to get back to being who we are on both ends of the ball.
01:04How do you not let the pace that they play with dictate the possessions?
01:10Yeah, I mean, we know how they're going to play.
01:12We know how they're going to play going into the game.
01:14It's knowing that when the shot goes up, you've got to get back because they're coming at you.
01:18Appreciate you.
01:19Got it.
01:21The Cavaliers will start the second half with the basketball trailing 63-46.
01:27Cavaliers started this ballgame with a five-some of Harden, Mitchell, Merrill, Ellis, and Mobley.
01:32Five regulars are out for the Cavs here this evening as Harden to the basket.
01:37He'll lay it up and lay it in.
01:39Allen, Porter, Strews, Tyson, and Wade are all out this evening.
01:46Dean Wade was a late scratch.
01:49The Cavaliers' Keyon Ellis, who got the stars this evening, had a bio, and the paint goes to the left
01:55hand.
01:56It was a 10-footer that he shot about six feet.
02:00Cavs can absolutely get back in this basketball game with the firepower that we have on our offensive end of
02:05the floor.
02:06I'm not going to be surprised at all if we get right back into this thing.
02:09We have a held ball called.
02:12Cavs go inside to Evan Mobley, who took only three shots in the first half.
02:18And that's what you were promoting, Brad.
02:20And the half find that big man, and Evan, we know, can do it on this end as well.
02:25I mean, Bam Adebayo just doesn't want any parts of that Evan Mobley matchup in the paint.
02:31I mean, he's just not getting any shots off at all.
02:35Mobley, the seven-footer, and Wiggins at 6'7 to jump.
02:39Mobley likely will want to come back right between Mitchell and Harden.
02:43Wow, Wiggins who stole it, but he pops it straight out of bounds.
02:47This should be Cavs basketball, and indeed it is.
02:53Opening minute, third quarter.
02:55Kenny Atkinson's Cavaliers have won four in a row.
03:01Harden to trigger.
03:02Merrill comes and gets it.
03:04Merrill got a hero on a fly-by, goes back to Harden.
03:06He'll feed Mobley.
03:08Mobley, and the paint works on Adebayo.
03:11Rebounded by Powell.
03:12Still love the play.
03:14Excellent execution of a play.
03:16He didn't stay down basket-wise, but that's what you want, more of that activity.
03:19Cavs have a little bit more pimp in their step starting out this first couple of minutes.
03:24Powell floats and scores.
03:26Can't let him get into that interior.
03:27That's what we talked about in the pregame.
03:29He's got to shut down those corners of entrance into that lane if you're the Cavaliers.
03:33That is the focus.
03:35Stop that basketball.
03:36Deflect it.
03:37Defend it.
03:37Move it back out towards the top of the key.
03:39Don't let him turn the corner.
03:40Caller number 22, Anthony.
03:42Powell has scored a game-high 15 points on merely eight shots from the field.
03:47Continues to be efficient.
03:49Does Powell in his first season in Miami.
03:53He had been reluctant to play Powell and Hero together, likely because of what they might
04:00see on the defensive end of the floor.
04:01As Mobley, right to the basket, he'll bang it up and in, but boy, it certainly is a dynamic
04:07bunch with both Hero and Powell on the floor, along with the likes of Wiggins and Adebayo.
04:12I don't know why you wouldn't get that.
04:13It was hard look.
04:14Man, that could be pretty dynamic.
04:16I mean, they're not super defending anyway as a team.
04:21Adebayo with a jump hook.
04:23They're trying to push the pace.
04:25Yeah, those two on the court feel tough to pick your poisons.
04:28Got to like the Cavs a little bit with Harden and Donovan Mitchell.
04:32Harden, he'll find Ellis.
04:34Ellis for three.
04:37Adebayo, who two weeks ago had 83 against the Wizards in the first half, was held to
04:41just one of nine from the field for two points.
04:44He'll miss badly there.
04:47What was that?
04:47That's grabbed by James Harden.
04:49I think he's trying to draw a foul, maybe?
04:52What a pass over to Merrill, a cross-court feed as the Cavs get the heat moving east-west.
04:58And Merrill cashes in.
05:00Harden.
05:05Davion Mitchell works in toward Merrill.
05:08Trying to jump in the corner.
05:09Boy, that was read beautifully by Ellis.
05:12Ellis was able to twist around and knock it up into the air.
05:15Harden works on Wiggins.
05:17Lost it, gets it back.
05:18Now it's Mitchell.
05:20Mitchell's picked up by Powell.
05:23Mitchell crossed him over into the paint.
05:29Powell's lead fast finds Hero.
05:33Hero gets fouled by Mitchell.
05:39Not only does Harden have that vision, the sand, he can get the ball across that floor in a hurry.
05:44Oh, he just throws bullets.
05:47You really got to be paying attention.
05:49He's got pitching between the eyes.
05:52But you're going to see those little road-running stars, like Wiley Coyote.
05:57You're not paying attention, James Harden.
05:59He throws some bullets.
06:01Crank a finger or two.
06:02Yeah.
06:03Better be ready.
06:05Tyler Hero this season missed 45 of the first 56 games for this Heat Club.
06:13First 17 as he recovered from offseason ankle surgery.
06:1613 with a toe contusion.
06:1915 more with a rib injury.
06:21Certainly, however, has made the most out of the games that he's played.
06:24He talked about it in the first half.
06:25He recently was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the second week of March.
06:31He was named an All-Star last season for the first time in his seven-year career.
06:36You may recall that Eric Spolzman's team last season finished 10th in the East,
06:40yet became the first team in NBA history to come from the 10th seed out of the play-in tournament
06:46as Ellis Hoopson scored.
06:48The Heat then, of course, ran into the Cavaliers in the first round,
06:52and eight days later their season was over.
06:54Well, it was almost like they were out of gas when they got to the Cavs.
06:57The Cavs just absolutely bludgeoned them.
07:00Out of Iowa, Banks and scores.
07:02The Cavs steamrolled the Heat in the playoffs by 122 points.
07:07In that four-game sweep, it was the largest aggregate margin of victory
07:11in NBA Series history as Merrill uncorks a three.
07:16The Cavs, just like that, are back down by 13th.
07:23This is wild.
07:24I mean, the Heat were playing good basketball as well.
07:27Everyone was excited, thought it was going to be a heck of a matchup,
07:29and that had given us a little bit of trouble just stylistically.
07:32We thought, man, this is going to be a battle.
07:33And, oh, man, the Cavs is absolutely waxed them.
07:39Top shot by Hero.
07:40The Cavs had the one seed.
07:41When we look down into that, uh-oh,
07:43he's seeing Mitchell gets there.
07:44Off it goes the pal.
07:45Pal from a sharp angle.
07:46My goodness, Mitchell grabs the loose ball.
07:48That's Donovan.
07:50The Heat was one of the teams that his heart pulls up and fires a three.
07:53And I personally was saying, I don't want to mess with Miami.
07:56I agree.
07:56In the playoffs, I couldn't have been more wrong.
07:58Yeah, I was with you.
08:00I didn't want to mess with him at all.
08:01He thought stylistically it was going to be a problem.
08:03And they just couldn't quite get it done.
08:06At a bio.
08:09In a monthly, the Cavaliers got a hand on that basketball
08:12and threw a foul.
08:15Bam, boxing out there.
08:16He's got Harden on his back.
08:18James gives him a little shove there.
08:21Three guards for what it's worth.
08:23The Cavs with a small lineup out there right now.
08:257.32 to go here in the third quarter, and we have a timeout on the floor.
08:35Well, last April, the Cavaliers and the Heat met in the first round of the playoffs.
08:41And, boy, the Cavs did a number on this Miami club.
08:45Two wins here at home.
08:46Then they went down to South Beach and did the save.
08:49You see the point differential, the highest in NBA history.
08:53The Cavs outscore the Heat by 122 points.
08:57We wondered if the scene shift might do Tyler Hero in the Heat some good.
09:05But, boy, the Cavs were just rolling.
09:08Ty Jerome was magnificent.
09:09The Cavs really dominated in just about every aspect of the series.
09:14And moved on to the second round.
09:17Yeah, no doubt about it.
09:18Just had an amazing playoff series against those guys.
09:24Had good help on a basketball team that kind of got banged up going through that series.
09:27That was it.
09:28So, a lot to build upon.
09:31Yeah, the Heat dealt with a handful of injuries last season as Wiggins lays it up and in.
09:36And don't forget, too, as well as a disgruntled Jimmy Butler.
09:39He played only 25 games, was suspended three separate times before he was finally traded in February.
09:46Injuries have taken a toll again this season on the Heat as Donovan Mitchell floats and scores.
09:51The Heat have played 72 games.
09:53The game is played by their top four scorers.
09:56Cal 53, Hero just 25, out of Iowa 63, and Wiggins 58.
10:01So, it's been a lot of stops and starts for Miami this year.
10:05They are right now as healthy as they've been all season.
10:08It was out of Iowa and crashing into two of the Cavs in Mitchell and Mobley.
10:15And it's Mobley who picks up the foul.
10:21Yeah, it's amazing.
10:22Every team out of Iowa gets a running start.
10:25Evan's standing there.
10:27Well, it's a bailout if I've received one.
10:30Like, everywhere we go, every team's had their issues with injuries, and it's just been throughout
10:34the league, and not having any consistency other than OKC, because he's been very strong
10:39all season long.
10:42The Cavs are no exception.
10:44Oh, you know, if you were with us at the beginning of the ballgame, this lineup used by that
10:47man, Kenny Atkinson, was the 35th different starting lineup this season for the Cavs here in
10:54game 73, as we now check in with Serena.
10:58Well, John, I was just listening to Donovan and James Harden talk in detail about timing
11:02in that last title.
11:03It reminded me they did a lot of that last night, too, in the fourth quarter, and Donovan
11:07reiterated that point after the game.
11:08He said, what's great about this group is that they're not combative.
11:11They're talking things out like it needs to be.
11:14Guys are calling him out if he misses a defensive assignment, and that's how it needs to be.
11:18He said, there's no problem on this team having those conversations.
11:20No one has any problem holding each other accountable, guys.
11:23Harden straightaway is watched by Davion Mitchell.
11:26Bounces through to Schroeder.
11:27Extra pass.
11:28Mobley.
11:29Pumped.
11:29Fixed.
11:29Laying it up.
11:31Rebounded by Adebayo.
11:33Adebayo chucks into the forecourt.
11:35Heater on top.
11:365-15.
11:38Alexie Evans just go off and slam that baby home.
11:40And worst case, he's going to get fouled.
11:43Dribble puts him in no man's land, so you take that ball down, you make yourself six feet
11:46tall.
11:49Hero back to Adebayo.
11:51Adebayo fires a three.
11:52Bam here this evening is three of 13.
11:55He's 0-4-6 from three-point territory.
12:00Harden, massive by Wiggins, finds Merrill.
12:03Merrill stops and scores.
12:05Sam Merrill did a great job of really just staying in the vision.
12:10The visual field of James Harden as he was driving to that left-hand side.
12:14He just snuck down and just stayed with him the whole time.
12:16That was a nice play.
12:17Hero looks for an answer.
12:18May have been fourth.
12:20Rebounded by Schroeder.
12:21Long leads past to Merrill.
12:22That's goaltending.
12:23Count the basket.
12:24This is one of those games, Brad, where nothing has felt good from the opening tip.
12:28Yet here we are with a quarter and a half to go, and the Cavaliers are back with intent.
12:33Unbelievable, yeah.
12:34We've got so much firepower, it can happen.
12:36They just turn it on, turn it off.
12:37The long lead pass finds Merrill.
12:40Easy call, goaltending on Hero.
12:43Your Cavs are back with intent.
12:4725 Cavs, 65.
12:49Here are the live odds courtesy of FanDuel.
12:52These are third-quarter odds only.
12:54The Cavs are up 19-12 here in this frame.
12:57You can play the Cavs plus over and parlay that at 2-40.
13:03The Cavs have scratched.
13:04They have clawed.
13:05It has not been pretty at times yet.
13:08Here they are trailing this ball game.
13:1175-65 on a night that they've never led and have trailed by as many as 21.
13:17Yeah, they're just right there.
13:17I mean, they just got outshot or outscored in the first half.
13:22You know, the defense wasn't great.
13:24They're just kind of moving slowly.
13:25A little better pace now.
13:26This Miami Heat team, they're going to keep shooting the ball up.
13:29So, they're going to get hot again at some point.
13:31It's going to happen.
13:31But, you can withstand that, keep putting pressure on them.
13:34We can score with anyone.
13:35We'll come right back in this game.
13:36Cal for three if you join us late as that ball is batted in.
13:40Called in by Schroeder.
13:42The Cavs are without five rotation players here tonight.
13:47Allen, Spruce, Tyson, Porter, Wade all out.
13:52They do have James Harden and Donovan Mitchell as Ellis lays it up and in.
13:57Boy, Ellis tracked from the wing right to the rim.
14:00Ellis finger rolls and trims that Heat lead to Ace.
14:03Nice job in aggressive going to the front of that goal.
14:06Keep attacking that rim.
14:08Defensive end, box out.
14:09Everybody be accountable.
14:10Come up with that basketball.
14:12Paquez, no.
14:13Rebounded by Mobley.
14:15Just like that.
14:16Mobley off the Schroeder.
14:18Back toward Mobley.
14:19That ball is tipped by Adebayo and then Mobley got stripped by Larson.
14:24Larson dumps off to Adebayo.
14:26Mitchell wide open.
14:27Davion Mitchell missed it.
14:29Tomlin tips it.
14:30Schroeder grabs it.
14:32The Cavs are down eight.
14:34Harden mosees into the forecourt.
14:36He surveys.
14:37He works on the youngster Larson.
14:39Harden through it.
14:42The arm of Larson gives it.
14:44Tomlin gets it back.
14:46The shot clock winds the six.
14:47James got slapped by Powell.
14:49Hawkes hits the deck.
14:51So does Harden.
14:52So we have a jump ball.
14:56Boy, Keyon Ellis just exploded off the wings.
14:59He caught that on the corner.
15:00Didn't wait for the jump shot.
15:01He just went right to the goal.
15:02That's what we wanted.
15:03Yeah, got to be more aggressive.
15:05Again, get to that goal.
15:06Get to that free throw line.
15:08You got to keep running downhill.
15:09You don't want to make this just a shooting contest.
15:12So that takes the pressure off of the heat having to defend.
15:18Cavalier defense has forced five consecutive heat misses from the field.
15:24They've held Miami scoreless over the last two minutes and 42 seconds.
15:30Just over four to go here in the third.
15:33That Miami lead has been trimmed to eight.
15:38Harden wins the tip.
15:40Schroeder stretches and grabs that loose ball.
15:42Mitchell has to beat the shot clock.
15:44Do you believe that?
15:46A Mitchell miracle with a clock under one as Donovan has cut that.
15:52Miami lead to five.
15:54Unbelievable touch by Donovan Mitchell.
15:56That was a miraculous shot.
15:59And a bio gets fouled and the Cavs are incensed at this foul called.
16:07This is our key bank key play of the game.
16:14Desperation, prayer, answer.
16:18Incredible.
16:19Incredible.
16:24The crowd got a look on the humongatron.
16:27You hear the response from 19,000.
16:29Is that a bio?
16:30This is the free throw.
16:32Things are starting to unravel here for a Miami team that had seemingly a comfortable 21 point
16:38lead a handful of minutes ago.
16:41Bryant didn't like the call.
16:43And a bio now in a hostile environment.
16:47Eric's pulse is trying to hold things together.
16:50His team hasn't scored in over three minutes.
16:52And a bio gives the heat a 76-70 lead.
16:57And here come your Cavaliers.
17:04Schroeder and Harden.
17:05Harden straightaway bounces through to Bryant.
17:08Bryant to Tomlin.
17:09Shovels back to Schroeder.
17:13Mitchell comes and gets it.
17:15There were some anxious moments on that.
17:18Cavalier possession.
17:19Yeah.
17:19Couple of passed up shots.
17:21Yeah.
17:21Somebody shoot the basketball.
17:23I was like, I will shoot it.
17:26Enough of this.
17:27Give me this ball.
17:28Yaka Jonas.
17:29No long rebound batted by Adebayo.
17:32And out of bounds it goes.
17:33Cavs basketball.
17:36What a heat it.
17:37Canals without a field goal for over four minutes as we pause for a word from Ken Gainley-Kia.
17:43Hey fans.
17:44While you're enjoying the game, go online to KenGainleyKia.com to get our lowest price.
17:50I will see you in a Ken Gainley-Kia.
17:53Adebayo with the rebound.
17:55Hawkeyes is in a hurry.
17:56Jaime Hawkeyes slow.
17:58Dumped back to Adebayo.
17:59Adebayo fires another three and he hits his first.
18:02That was Adebayo's seventh three-point attempt.
18:08Seventy-nine-seventy Miami.
18:12Adebayo's four for 14.
18:14Harden.
18:15Long rebound is tipped by Yaka Jonas.
18:18They will lead it off to Larson.
18:20Larson skips a pass to Powell.
18:22Powell puts it on the floor.
18:23Quick hands by Harden.
18:25Seemed like the Cavs were cooked.
18:26Powell had a lane, but Harden reached out and slapped it out of bounds.
18:31Yeah, Harden saved a layup there.
18:33He was wide open for a layup.
18:35James just did the best he could even if he had to foul it.
18:37Don't give up that easy basket.
19:00Donovan Mitchell now has 20.
19:03Donovan's getting hit on every inch of his body.
19:06He shoots no shots.
19:09Fishers going to let him play, though.
19:10That's fine.
19:11Let him play.
19:12Nothing ticky-tack.
19:13Hawkes drives and scores.
19:15We mentioned Hawkes leads the league at points among reserves.
19:18He has seven here tonight.
19:21Larson swipes it hard.
19:23Perfect.
19:23Right in the middle of that lane.
19:24Strong move.
19:25Nice job.
19:25Brian right to the basket.
19:27That's what the Cavs, I think, were urging Thomas to do earlier
19:30instead of settling for a 12, 15-footer.
19:32If you have a runway, take it right to that rim.
19:34Every time you get the zone, the big guy steps into the free-throw line,
19:37you catch, you turn, and you're going to the basket,
19:40and you're shooting or passing.
19:41Adebayo that time hooks with the left hand.
19:4416 shots here tonight for Adebayo.
19:46He's hit five.
19:47He has a double-double, 14-and-10.
19:50Schroeder works around a big Bryant screen.
19:53This one back to Harden.
19:55James Harden buries a three.
19:57Cavs are starting to find a nice little rhythm here.
19:59This is going to be a fun fourth quarter of basketball.
20:03Don't go anywhere, Cavs fans.
20:05These Cavs are starting to find a nice little pace.
20:08Rhythm is an excellent word.
20:09It has been an uneven Cavalier attack over the first two-plus quarters.
20:15Paquez is run up the line by Harden, has to take a tough shot.
20:18Rebounded by Bryant.
20:20The Cavs trail by six.
20:22They've been down by as many as 21.
20:26Mitchell has an extra jump here in the second half.
20:28Hey!
20:30Knocks it down.
20:32Big shot by Donovan Mitchell.
20:34My goodness.
20:35Wow.
20:37Wow.
20:39Man, that guy's got ice water in his veins, John.
20:42Just will not let this Cavs team sink.
20:47Donovan Mitchell once again is putting on a show.
20:51Particularly here in this second half.
20:53His Cavaliers have authored a 20-6 run.
21:00Larson works on Schroeder.
21:02Spin puts it up.
21:03He missed it.
21:04Boy, that defense chant is deafening here inside Rocket Arena.
21:09The faithful have seen their Cavaliers come all the way back.
21:14A strong rebound by Naquan Tomlin there.
21:16Good job.
21:18Mitchell works on Larson.
21:20Mitchell with a crossover.
21:22Hey!
21:24Knocks it down.
21:25Donovan Mitchell with poor and shooting.
21:28Back-to-back triples.
21:29And we're tied at 83.
21:34Larson dropped it.
21:35Shot clock off.
21:36Larson up through Bryant.
21:38He gets called for an offensive foul.
21:40Oh, all Cavs here late in this third quarter.
21:45Thomas Bryant stepping in there, taking that blow to the face,
21:49taking one for his team.
21:51Nice job by Thomas Bryant.
21:54Tough defense.
21:55Nice job.
21:56Feet outside of the penalty area.
21:59TB gets in there and takes a nice, nice charge for his team.
22:02Got hit in the face.
22:03Hard licking that jaw.
22:06Kenny Atkinson was looking for a flagrant foul review
22:10with a blow above the neck.
22:12He's going to go back here with some three-point shooters.
22:14Sam Merrill checks in.
22:17The Cavs looking to stay on the attack here
22:19with a little over a second remaining.
22:21They have to go about 60 feet here to close out the third.
22:25Mitchell on the run.
22:26Couldn't get it.
22:27Harden snaps one ahead for Mobley.
22:30Little brother Hiro.
22:32This fires at the end of the third, but the Cavaliers in the third
22:38outscore the Heat 37-20.
22:41The Cavaliers left for dead earlier.
22:44A right back in the ball game as we head to the fourth.
22:47Tied at 83.
22:48The Cavaliers are on the third three.
22:50Run it up.
22:51Can't handle this.
22:52Never back down.
22:53We the fourth quarter champions.
22:55Fourth quarter lights up.
22:56We the champions.
22:57Scoreboard.
22:58We the last one standing.
22:59Uh-huh.
23:00Run it up.
23:00Run it up.
23:01You can't handle this.
23:02Never back down.
23:03We the fourth quarter champions.
23:05Game face.
23:06Game face.
23:07Game face.
23:08We the fourth quarter champions.
23:10Game face.
23:11Game face.
23:12Game face.
23:14Come on.
23:16Donovan Mitchell and the Cavaliers trail by 15 with 10 minutes to go.
23:20But it was Mitchell and James Harden who rallied the Cavaliers late.
23:25Combining for 25 of the Cavs.
23:2735 fourth quarter points.
23:29And a wild come from behind victory as we're underway here in the fourth.
23:33And Jackie Jonas made a good play to keep that pass inbounds.
23:37Here's Jaime Hacquez.
23:38Hacquez bends inside.
23:40Almost walked.
23:41He'll bank and score.
23:42The Cavaliers with 2.16 to go in the second.
23:45Trailed this ball game 57-36.
23:49Down 21.
23:50They've come all the way back.
23:52Keon Ellis gives the Cavaliers their first lead all night long.
23:57Great patience on that offensive end by the Cavaliers.
24:00Everyone's cutting.
24:01We're getting to their spots.
24:02It ended up giving them a great opportunity to get a good wide open look.
24:07Ellis, nice job layup right here.
24:08Oh, here he's brought to runs the floor.
24:11Naquan Tomlin to the rescue.
24:12He'll send it back to Donovan Mitchell.
24:15Mitchell for three.
24:19Rebounded by Ware.
24:21Well, like Proctor and Tomlin though, the energy level is very high with these two guys.
24:26Really has taken up the intensity for the Cavaliers.
24:29Proctor sprinting down at a good layup opportunity.
24:33Hero buries a three.
24:34Tough shot.
24:35Tough shot by Tyler Hewlett.
24:38Hero now has 16 points.
24:40Proctor, by the way, is playing his first games.
24:42He's way back on February 27th.
24:45Followed by a leg injury.
24:48Mitchell over the top.
24:49Donovan lost the ball.
24:51However, can he get it back?
24:52He knocked it away momentarily from Hero.
24:54And a foul is called.
24:55It's going to be on Mitchell.
24:57Mitchell was swimming around down there.
25:00I think apparently he got a piece of Tyler Hero as Courtney Kirkland made a foul call.
25:09Could Donovan get a piece of Hero?
25:14He did go over the top and pull him back.
25:17Come here, young man.
25:19Good hustle by Donald.
25:20Like the effort.
25:21Like the scratch.
25:21Like the grit.
25:24Donovan's picked up his third.
25:26The Heat were idle last night.
25:29They came in here and shot the lights out in the first half.
25:33A big lead on a Cavalier team, which had trouble getting it going from the field.
25:40But boy, the Cavs had responded.
25:41Coming out of the locker room.
25:43A big third quarter in which they outscored the Heat 37-20.
25:47Hero sprays it back to Hawkes.
25:49Hawkes puts it on the floor.
25:50He got stripped by Schroeder.
25:52Off his leg and out of bounds.
25:53And Schroeder will get it back for the Cavaliers.
25:56It's pretty close to a double dribble as well by Hawkes.
25:59He caught that ball and kind of took a little dribble with it.
26:02But nice job by Schroeder.
26:03Boy, getting there, stripping that ball down hard off his knee.
26:07Very nice job.
26:09Harden pushes it off the Schroeder.
26:11Schroeder, no look.
26:11The Tomlin who reverses and scores.
26:14They've won.
26:14Tomlin ties this game at 88.
26:17You know what?
26:17Tomlin has been just a level of energy that we need.
26:21He's been all over the glass.
26:23He's been on the perimeter defending hard and aggressive.
26:25Nice.
26:26The first layup by Naquan Tomlin.
26:28Hawkes against his body.
26:30Defended by Harden.
26:31Rebounded by Schroeder.
26:33Schroeder's on the run.
26:34Harden slows.
26:36Back to Tomlin.
26:37Mitchell wants it.
26:39Tomlin and Harden play catch.
26:41Tomlin puts it up and draws the foul.
26:43A two-man game between Harden and Tomlin.
26:47Opens up the youngster inside.
26:49He's playing so hard.
26:51Tomlin is.
26:51He's at a different level of speed than everyone on the court.
26:54The lightning bolt has struck, baby.
26:57Nice job.
26:58Look at that.
26:58Put a little throwaway.
26:59A little lookaway dime.
27:00Nice with first layup.
27:02And now we're back.
27:03Offensive end again.
27:04And we got Tomlin on the free throw line through his effort.
27:07Energy.
27:09Naquan Cooley drains his first.
27:11The lightning bolt.
27:13All energy.
27:14I love it.
27:15All the time.
27:16Love it.
27:16Love it.
27:17Tell you what.
27:17He brings it, man.
27:19He brings it.
27:20What a great story.
27:22Did not play high school basketball.
27:25Naquan Tomlin made his NBA debut a season ago.
27:29He had his two-way contract converted to a standard contract.
27:33It was a couple of weeks ago.
27:35And again, the Cavaliers was 90-88 league.
27:38Played so hard.
27:39You can't convince Naquan Tomlin he's not at all pro in this league.
27:42He comes to play.
27:43Got great confidence.
27:44Gets after it.
27:45Love it.
27:46Heroes three was short.
27:48Larson gets it back.
27:50Larson puts it up and in.
27:51One of those things we talked about again in the pregame.
27:53Can't let people turn down that lane.
27:55Stop him.
27:56Even if you have to foul him, stop him.
28:00Ellis off to Tomlin.
28:02Smart play.
28:03He didn't pick up his dribble.
28:05Harden shovels back to Mitchell.
28:08Cavs cycle, if you will, as Donovan Mitchell floats it up.
28:11Can he get it back?
28:12Not quiet.
28:13It's Ware who grabs it.
28:14We're tied at 90.
28:18Jaquez.
28:22The Heat have hit 16 threes out here this evening.
28:27As Kenny Atkinson wants to talk it over, his club is right back in this game.
28:33James Harden have been playing the role of superhero as of late as they've rallied the Cavaliers all the way
28:40back.
28:41The Cavs, spared by as many as 21 late in the first half.
28:46Mitchell has come alive here in quarters three and four.
28:50The Cavs as a team, after shooting just 39% in the first half, are hitting at 60% here
28:57in the second.
28:58And with 8.38 to go, it's a one possession game.
29:02Nice job by the Cavaliers.
29:03Again, understanding the levels of defense that Miami possesses.
29:09And you get past that first wave, a lot of those guys are leaning, looking to run.
29:14So you just got to be patient and look for opportunity.
29:16The Cavs did a great job the last several minutes of just picking it apart, taking their time,
29:21looking for their quality shots.
29:24Harden thought that pass of his was kicked.
29:27Wiggins is in the corner.
29:30Wiggins into the paint.
29:32Now Hawkes.
29:35Back to Hero.
29:36Ellis closes out on him.
29:38Hero trying to draw a foul.
29:39Boy, that was a tough shot by Tyler Hero, who now has 18.
29:43Yeah, when Miami's offense breaks down, they just go one-on-one.
29:47And it's usually after one pass.
29:48So he's got a D up, guards a yard.
29:51Harden knocked down and fouled by Wiggins.
29:54So James Harden will shoot three free throws.
29:57It's interesting you bring that up.
29:59This is a Miami team that, not surprisingly, is among the league leaders in ISOs.
30:03It's how they tend to work on that offensive end of the floor as Wiggins picks up the foul.
30:09That's number five as Harden is a master at throwing fouls when shooting three.
30:16Just got to stay away from him.
30:17You cannot get into his territory.
30:19He's like a magnet.
30:20He just draws you into him.
30:23So here is Harden who, as a Cavalier, is averaging at 21 points, eight assists, and five rebounds.
30:32He's playing 34 minutes at night.
30:34He entered action shooting threes as a Cavalier and a scorching 46 percent.
30:40The other night in Chicago was the 344th time that he scored 30 or more points in a single game.
30:48We mentioned that last night.
30:49It's worth repeating.
30:49He moved past Elgin Baylor for the 12th most 30-point games in NBA history.
30:55The next time he goes for 30, he'll tie Allen Iverson for the 11th most.
30:59Wow.
31:0030 points is a career night for, what, 80, 85 percent of this league.
31:06James Harden has done that 344 times.
31:10Almost every night.
31:13Remarkable.
31:14Remarkable young man.
31:15Donovan Mitchell's done it 31 times this season alone.
31:18Guys are just absolutely at the top of the game scoring the basketball elite elite.
31:24Hero in the corner, works on his numerical counterpart in Ellis.
31:27Jaquez comes and gets it and fires it out of bounds.
31:31Larson made a good play.
31:32Where has to hurry up to Jaquez who just beats the shot clock with a dunk.
31:37Boy, they really got lucky on that.
31:38Jaquez should have got a really bad shot.
31:40Cavs could just, it shocks you when that ball comes off an air ball sometimes.
31:45You just don't get your hands up quick enough.
31:49You mentioned it last night.
31:51How often the offensive team ends up with an air ball as Bryant's, oh,
31:56put it as good as Bryant's shot puts it up around the rim and in.
32:00Yeah, perfect position.
32:01That's an excellent way to break down that zone.
32:04That's the correct way to do it every time.
32:06Bryant's going to be open every time.
32:08Wow.
32:09Ware hits a three.
32:10Miami's 17th of the night.
32:13Ware has just become a really decent three-point shoot.
32:17I mean, last couple of seasons they were working him inside,
32:19trying to get in the post-up shoot hooks and do those types of things.
32:22Schroeder can't answer.
32:24Bryant got two hands on it, but he got fouled.
32:27Boy, Jaquez came up limping.
32:31Ware took a shot.
32:32His first team serve.
32:38Jaquez twisted his ankle pretty bad.
32:40He's trying to walk it off.
32:41He was struggling.
32:44Boy, there was carnage all over the place after that sequence.
32:47I think Ware took a shot to his midsection.
32:52And Jaquez will head to that Miami bench.
32:55He's replaced by Davion Mitchell.
32:586.42 to go.
33:00Ware, the seven-footer, has taken three shots all night,
33:02all threes, and he's hit all three.
33:05Yeah, just totally taking his game away from being an interior player at all.
33:09Shoot those threes.
33:12Merrill leans his way to the foul line, finds Ellis.
33:15Totally back in the ball game, works it off to Bryant.
33:18Bryant floats it up.
33:19That's tipped.
33:20Almost off the rim by Larson.
33:22And out squirms Davion Mitchell.
33:24He didn't run the three.
33:25Larson rides, gets fouled by Ellis.
33:27And he'll shoot two with 6.19 to go.
33:30You don't mind that foul.
33:32Ellis was leaning and was going to get beat.
33:35He's coming so hard.
33:37This was really close to basket interference.
33:41Woo-hoo.
33:41Close.
33:42Oh, wow.
33:47I like the fact that we got a foul.
33:49That didn't give him that easy layup.
33:51We got to start doing more of that over the next couple of weeks.
33:54It's either you need to get a foul or you get a rebound.
33:59Larson's first is good.
34:00These two teams meet again in this building on Friday.
34:04Tip time is at 7.30.
34:05Everybody get your tickets as always at Cavs.com slash tickets.
34:11Donovan Mitchell returns with 26 points in his back pocket.
34:16He's the high Cavalier.
34:18Sam Merrill has 18.
34:20Keon Ellis has quietly chipped his way to 17 here this season.
34:25As Ellis is making his third start as a Cavalier.
34:28Makes a big plays tonight Keon has on both ends of the floor.
34:31Really been critical in this comeback by the Cavaliers as well.
34:36Harden for three.
34:40A little good look by James Harden.
34:41That ball is halfway down.
34:42Just would not stay in the cup.
34:45The Cavs took a brief lead here early in the fourth after trailing big in the first half.
34:51Miami's back up by seven.
34:53Davion Mitchell can't penetrate.
34:55Herman Powell's back in the ballgame.
34:57Mitchell draws a double.
34:59Back it goes to Powell.
35:00Powell laid the shot.
35:01Blockhead is knocked away momentarily by Ellis.
35:03But he gets it back and converts.
35:05And it's just that.
35:06They're just going one-on-one, John.
35:08That's what's so difficult.
35:09It's scrambling because they don't run anything after the first two passes.
35:12It's just one-on-one basketball.
35:15Mitchell off to Merrill.
35:16Now to Mobley.
35:18Mobley right around.
35:19Where!
35:19He draws the foul.
35:20Nice job by Evan attacking the basket.
35:22Put that pressure on Ware.
35:23Good job.
35:26He'll make these free throws.
35:28Imagine that last season in the playoffs, Ware saw way too much of Evan Mobley.
35:34He started at center for Miami and was held to just to combine 19 points and 19 rebounds throughout all
35:41four games.
35:42Really struggled.
35:43But you can see the potential.
35:45No question.
35:45A lot of potential.
35:46Front office likes him as well as they were not willing to park with where reportedly in a potential deal
35:54for Kevin Durant this summer.
35:55You may recall that he were in the mix trying to buy for the services of Kevin Durant who of
36:02course ultimately went to Houston to play with the Rockets.
36:08The view there as an important piece into the future as Mobley line drives home the second free throw and
36:15cuts his Miami lead to 104-96.
36:20The Cavaliers can really start turning up the heat defensively here.
36:23Get a good trap here on this basketball.
36:25They can get rid of it.
36:26Now it's one-on-one basketball for the heat.
36:28They're going one-on-one.
36:29Somebody's trying to find a one-on-one opportunity.
36:31Mismatch and shot.
36:33Yep.
36:35Pella Larson hits a three.
36:37I almost would prefer Bam to turn it to the shot at the basket.
36:42Defended by Mobley as opposed to give up that three.
36:45Venture floats it up and in.
36:47Larson that last time down as he throws it away.
36:49Larson that last time down became the eighth different heat player tonight to hit a triple as Miami has combined
36:58for 18.
37:00High shot by Donovan.
37:02Miami takes it out and just kind of lackadaisical with the basketball here.
37:08Throw it away.
37:09Take advantage.
37:11Make them pay.
37:13Under five to go here in regulation.
37:17First and two straight between these teams.
37:20Merrill long range.
37:22Powell.
37:22Wow.
37:22I don't know why Powell didn't grab that ball.
37:24Yeah.
37:24Had the ball.
37:25Just had to grab it with two hands.
37:27Carden.
37:27Off to Ellis.
37:28Ellis for three.
37:31They'll reach his board and hit his foot.
37:33Ellis saves it and bowls it back to Mitchell.
37:36Four and a half to go.
37:37Caps down nine.
37:38Mitchell grabbed by the other Mitchell.
37:40He shoves Davion and Donovan.
37:42It's called for the foul.
37:44Allen Cavaliers number forty five.
37:46Donovan Mitchell.
37:47There's four.
37:48Donovan comes off that screen really hard there.
37:51Davion's got him around the hip.
37:53He's trying to get him off of it but Fishel only saw the one side of it.
37:59Here's that play as earlier Davion was grabbing at Donovan.
38:03Donovan pushed off and with that we have a timeout on the floor.
38:09Down the stretch we come here in Cleveland.
38:11The heater on top by nine.
38:13Here's our Spectrum game summary.
38:15The Cavaliers with their 35th different starting lineup tonight.
38:19It featured Keyon Ellis and Ellis has come to play.
38:2217 points for one of the Cavaliers new covers.
38:26Tyler Herro is doing his thing.
38:27Herro has 18 points.
38:29He's hit four triples tonight.
38:31Sam Merrill has four of his own.
38:33The Sands Cavaliers trail this ballgame 107-98.
38:37Now David Mitchell has 28.
38:39He's the high man in the ballgame.
38:4115 of which have come into second half as Mitchell and Harden look to rally the Cavs to victory.
38:48We saw Donovan's eye that was still playing with that eye that's been bloodshot for about a week now.
38:55Got hit in the eye by Evan Mobley in Milwaukee as Boyellis nearly had another steal.
39:01It happened during shooter and actually as Powell gets loose did he travel.
39:05Indeed he did.
39:06And the Cavaliers come out of the timeout.
39:08They get a stop and now with 4.10 to go.
39:11They have the basketball trailing 107-98.
39:15Keyon Ellis a lot of credit.
39:16He was all over Norman Powell from the get go.
39:20I've stolen from him twice so nice job by Keyon.
39:23If you are going to score on Keyon Ellis you will have to work.
39:26Yes.
39:27Mobley hooks it up.
39:28Rejected by Ware.
39:29Popped into the air by Larson.
39:31Larson.
39:31And it's slapped by Ellis.
39:32Dives.
39:33Shovels the Ware.
39:34Ware over the timeline.
39:35Uh oh.
39:36Adebayo ran over.
39:38Barrel nothing called.
39:39Mitchell gets called for the reach in and Adebayo has a chance for three.
39:42Wow.
39:44Okay.
39:46The Cavs if you're wondering are out of coaches challenges and unsuccessful coaches challenge
39:52just about a minute ago.
39:56The reason why the Cavs have none left.
40:01Adebayo catches that basketball.
40:03If anything you don't have it's a no call both ways.
40:06You don't call that little tick attack foul on Donovan after he just turns his shoulder and knocks a guy
40:11down.
40:11That's a that's a bad call.
40:153.50 to go.
40:17Here in the fourth.
40:19The deep lead is 1-10-98.
40:24But we lost it.
40:29Where's the trailer?
40:30He gets down and puts it in.
40:32Ware has a chance for three.
40:39The foul is on Mitchell.
40:43Trying to get back and hustle where it's just become a.
40:46All of a sudden it's just turned up the energy blocking shots and being aggressive being a good outlet running
40:51the floor.
40:52The Cavs just kind of struggling a little bit.
40:55So I got to tell you on that previous play on the scoreboard it gave that foul to Merrill which
41:02left Donovan with four.
41:04This foul however is on Mitchell and now it's just been announced that Mitchell has fouled out.
41:08And this is the first time in Donovan Mitchell's nine year career that that has happened.
41:15Wow.
41:15Wow.
41:17So I thought Donovan got away with one because on the scoreboard Merrill was assessed with that previous one which
41:24would have left Donovan with four.
41:26Merrill down the lane he'll find Ellis in the corner back to Harden.
41:30Harden unloads a long range three that's rebounded by where.
41:42Of course spread here.
41:44This is the play they run.
41:45You can hear folks close to call an open.
41:47And it's looking to attack any opening on the floor.
41:50Obviously they're looking to attack the gaps kick out for a jump shot.
41:53There it is.
41:53That's going up.
41:55Yep.
41:56At a bio.
41:57Missed it.
41:58Larson grabs the loose ball.
42:06Extracurriculars at two fifty seven to go.
42:10The Cavs gave it a run here in this second half.
42:14At the end of the third the Cavs trim what was a seventeen point halftime lead.
42:23As there's the tie up between Merrill and Larson.
42:28All right there as Larson got up.
42:31Sam didn't even know anything happened.
42:34Larson's first free through is good.
42:36The Cavs and he were tied after three quarters as we pause for a word from Wayside Furniture.
42:43Wayside Furniture in Akron has hundreds of dining sets in stock.
42:47Buy today.
42:48Take home today.
42:49Keeping it local since 1937.
42:55Under three minutes remain.
42:57The Cavs took a brief lead early in the fourth quarter.
43:02The team were able to weather the storm.
43:04Back it goes to Harden.
43:05Harden for three.
43:07James Harden tonight has knocked down three triples.
43:10He has eighteen points.
43:14Get up.
43:15Get up.
43:15Get up.
43:16Get up.
43:16Get up.
43:16Get up.
43:17Get up.
43:18Get up.
43:22Two and a half to go.
43:24Powell has swiped that by Schroeder.
43:31Davion Mitchell off to Larson.
43:35Larson got run off the line by Harden into traffic.
43:38Powell has to hurry.
43:39I don't think he got it off in time.
43:40And it is a shot clock violation.
43:43Yeah, good defense by Cavaliers.
43:44Everybody's moved their feet great in space.
43:47Really made it difficult to get good and smooth passes.
43:49That's a good defensive stance by the Cavs.
43:52Trudeau works on Davion Mitchell and draws a foul.
43:55So the Cavs have a chance to score with the clock stop.
43:58Down thirteen with two away to go.
44:02Give the Heat credit.
44:03They made some big shots.
44:05Some big plays.
44:05Took advantage of the Cavs turnovers.
44:08The Cavs haven't been really solid with that basketball.
44:11Had a moment there in that third quarter, though,
44:13where they picked up the energy.
44:15Aequann Tomlin and Keyon Ellis came in.
44:18Proctor gave him some speed.
44:22Cavaliers tonight shorthanded by five rotation players.
44:26Have seen the Miami bench do a number on the Cavs reserve
44:30to the tune of forty-one to twelve here this evening.
44:34There's only so much you can do.
44:36You got a lot of our rotational guys out.
44:39Dean Wade's out tonight.
44:40Didn't expect that.
44:42No Max Strews this evening.
44:44Didn't expect that.
44:45Just really difficult.
44:46The Cavs remain without Jalen Tyson.
44:49Garrett Allen.
44:50Still out of that Cavalier lineup.
44:54Last two ends in the late one quarter.
44:59Powell is watched by Ellis.
45:06Mitchell sends it off to Adebayo.
45:08Bam's taken nineteen shots.
45:10He'll find wear at the rim.
45:12Bam's on six of nineteen tonight.
45:14Seventeen points, ten rebounds.
45:16That's assist number seven for Bam.
45:20Well, these teams will do it again on Friday night.
45:23Final game of this three-game homestand.
45:26As Mobley spins inside.
45:28That's knocked out of bounds.
45:29The Cavs then will embark upon a road trip that will take them to Salt Lake City, L.A.,
45:35to play the Lakers, and then up to San Francisco for a date with the Warriors.
45:41What will be the Cavs' final West Coast swing of the regular season?
45:46Yeah, yeah.
45:47So, let's be a good opportunity for the Cavs.
45:49Hopefully, we've got good health.
45:51We can go out and start really getting prepared for this playoff.
45:55The Cavs had one.
45:57Four in a row coming in here tonight.
45:59Davion Mitchell.
46:00Banks and scores.
46:02The Cavs got 28 from Donovan Mitchell.
46:05Eighteen apiece from Sam Merrill and James Hurd.
46:0817 from Keyon Ellis.
46:15Merrill.
46:18The long rebounds grabbed by Davion Mitchell.
46:21With a head of girls to Norman Powell.
46:24The Heat are poised to improve to 39 and 34 on the season.
46:28The Cavaliers will drop to 45 and 28.
46:33Ellis for three.
46:35After tonight, only nine games remain.
46:37Yeah, man.
46:38It's going to go.
46:39This has been a quick.
46:40I always say after All-Star break, it's so fast.
46:43He's just hoping all the tea leaves line up.
46:46Right now, Cavs got some things to work on, and health is probably the biggest, the biggest energy here.
46:56So, the Heat come to town.
46:58They will snap a five-game losing streak.
47:03Big win tonight for Miami.
47:04They entered action in a three-way tie for eighth place in the Eastern Conference with the Magic and with
47:11the Hornets.
47:15Ideally, you want to be, of course, in the top six.
47:17The top six guaranteed playoff spots.
47:19But, man, if you're going to be in that play-in tournament, 7-8 is so much more advantageous than
47:249-10.
47:25I agree.
47:269-10, you have to win two to get in.
47:287-8, you only have to win one out of two.
47:30That will do it.
47:32Here tonight, your final score.
47:34Heat won 20, Cavs 1-0-3.
47:36The Cavs gear up for Friday.
47:37Brad, where do they start?
47:38Yeah, just got up to a slow start.
47:40Didn't play well in that first half.
47:41That's just too big of a hole to overcome.
47:44Got to give the Cavs a lot of credit.
47:45Showed a lot of grit.
47:46Fought hard.
47:47Just not enough.
47:48Four to come after this break.
47:49The Heat went up by 17 here in Cleveland tonight.
47:52In the meantime, please drive home safely, Cavs fans.
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