The Cleveland Cavaliers’ defense set the tone in their 124-87 domination of the Miami Heat on Saturday, taking a commanding 3-0 lead in their Eastern Conference first-round series. Head coach Kenny Atkinson shared his thoughts on his team’s collective effort, emphasizing how crucial defense and rebounding were in the win.
“Defending and winning the rebounding battle were the keys,” Atkinson said. “Our guys locked in, knowing we weren’t going to shoot at home-level efficiency. We focused on limiting Tyler Herro’s touches and executing our game plan.”
Cleveland’s physical play overwhelmed Miami throughout the contest. Despite Donovan Mitchell’s off-night, shooting 4-for-14, and Darius Garland being sidelined with a sprained toe, the Cavaliers relied on their depth. Jarrett Allen led with 22 points, shooting 8-for-9, while De’Andre Hunter contributed 21 points off the bench.
The Cavaliers went on a decisive 33-5 run to close the first half, turning an early 15-6 deficit into a 39-20 lead. Atkinson praised his team’s resilience during a shaky start, noting that even when shots weren’t falling, their defense kept them afloat.
Evan Mobley and Max Strus also had strong performances, with Mobley posting 19 points and six rebounds, and Strus adding 18 points, including four 3-pointers against his former team. Ty Jerome impressed with 13 points and 11 assists, recording a team-high plus-minus of +33.
“We didn’t shoot the three a ton, but our cutting and drive-and-kick game were key,” Atkinson explained. “We were able to adapt to how Miami defended and continue to attack inside.”
Miami, on the other hand, struggled to find offensive flow. Bam Adebayo led the Heat with 22 points, while Tyler Herro added 13. However, Miami’s shooting woes continued as they hit just 42.1% from the field and committed 16 turnovers.
“Raising our pressure on Bam and staying disciplined in our game plan was vital,” Atkinson said. “We were able to switch defensively and force them into uncomfortable positions.”
Cleveland’s 46-29 rebound advantage and 60-30 points in the paint highlighted their dominance. By the start of the fourth quarter, the Cavaliers held a comfortable 88-64 lead, ensuring the game was well out of reach for Miami.
Historically, teams up 3-0 in a best-of-seven series are 158-0, and Cleveland appears poised to continue that perfect record. Atkinson’s squad will now look to close out the series in Game 4 on Monday in Miami, while the Heat face an uphill battle to avoid elimination.
