The Miami Heat could not mount a second-half comeback and dropped Game 1 to the Cleveland Cavaliers 121-100 Sunday night inside Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.
For the majority of the second half, the Heat’s deficit rested between 7-12 points. Though a second-half explosion from guard Ty Jerome expanded the Cavaliers’ advantage to 17 with 4:29 left, putting the game essentially out of reach.
Jerome was the best player on the floor down the stretch, scoring 16 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter, nearly outscoring the Heat–who had 21 points in the frame–by himself. Jerome accounted for all but six of the Cavaliers’ production off the bench–the rest coming from Sam Merrill.
For the game, Cleveland canned 51.1 percent of its looks to the Heat’s 48.8 percent, outscoring the Heat by 15 from 3-point range. Donovan Mitchell led the way with 30 points on 11-of-19 shooting, while Darius Garland followed suit with 27 points on 10-of-17 shooting.
Bam Adebayo topped the Heat in scoring with 24 points on 10-of-22 shooting, hauling in nine rebounds with a pair of steals in 39 minutes. Tyler Herro finished with 21 points on 7-of-18 shooting and 3-of-6 from beyond the arc. Davion Mitchell had 18 points and nine assists on 8-of-12 shooting while Andrew Wiggins had 14 points on 5-of-11 shooting.
Cleveland’s gameplan was noticeable from the start: Putting Tyler Herro, the weakest defender on the court, in the action every time and take advantage of his lack of defensive prowess–thus also tiring him out for the shoulder he had to burden offensively.
Well, it worked to perfection. Miami had no answer. Cleveland also relentlessly attacked Kel’el Ware in drop and Haywood Highsmith, who’s taken a step back this year defensively, in space.
Game 1 won’t dictate the entire series. Adjustments will need to be made. Miami concludes its trip away from home Wednesday evening. Do you think they will be able to steal Game 2?
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Within striking distance early in 4th. lost steam? Spo has a lot of planning to do both ends.
Tyler scoreless in the 4th. He’s been great this season. But the Heat just don’t have a guy that can lead the team to victory in the 4th quarter of a playoff game. Let’s hope the Heat can keep Bam and Tyler and add KD next season.
Im way past KD already. Sorry. And its Heat’s first playoffs without Jimmy quitter. Tyler will need to learn to be that guy. Just the first game Cavs looking like the real deal.
ill read sunmans lebron posts tomorrow morning with his observations and remedies,
tyler herro if u cant guard better we got no shot.for me that was the main reason we lost.i dont know what to do but their gonna seek him out.might have to go zone more
jimmy friggin butler wow i hate u so much y did u do this to us we dont deserve it