(Photo Credit: Issac Baldizon)
Danny Martinez
HEAT.com
The Miami HEAT won their 11th straight game, beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 109-105. With the win the HEAT improve to 40-14. The HEAT overcame a late deficit on the back of Dwyane Wade. The HEAT return to action Tuesday night against the Sacramento Kings.
Impact Performance of the Night: Dwyane Wade provided a vintage performance in Sunday’s fourth quarter against the Cavaliers. Wade scored 15 of the HEAT’s 28 points in the quarter, including the dunk that sealed the victory. For the game, Wade finished with 24 points, six assists and five rebounds.
The Deciding Run: The HEAT led much of the game before the Cavaliers came storming back in the second half. A C.J. Miles three-pointer with 5:16 left in the game gave the Cavaliers a 97-89 lead. Over the next four minutes the HEAT outscored the Cavaliers 16-4. Dwyane Wade scored 11 points during the flurry.
Play of the Game: There were numerous highlights throughout the game, but Dwyane Wade stole the show. With under 30 seconds left and the HEAT leading by two, Wade and LeBron James ran a pick-and-roll with James as the screener. Wade got a step on the defender, turned the corner, drove through the lane and finished with a thunderous slam. The dunk gave the HEAT a four-point lead with 24 seconds left. They were able to close it out with free throws.
Efficiency Rating: Offensive Efficiency: 119.0; Defensive Efficiency: 115.9
Trend to Watch: Over the last six minutes, the HEAT pounded the high efficiency areas of the floor. The HEAT attempted eight shots in the last six minutes, all of them coming from the corner or in the paint. The HEAT’s effective field goal percentage over that span was 81.3 percent. When an offense is able to generate quality looks late, against set defenses, it’s impressive. When push came to shove, the HEAT got what they wanted, when they wanted it. The closing minutes were very, very strong.
The Takeaway: The winning streak is now 11 games, the longest for the HEAT since 2004. With tonight’s win, the HEAT finished off four games in five days with four victories, no small feat. While things got murky during the second half, the HEAT did play well for most of the game. The offense was very efficient, largely a product of the shot selection.
Notes: LeBron James finished with 28 points and eight assists. Mario Chalmers added 16 points and four assists. Shane Battier and Ray Allen combined for 25 points, including seven made three-pointers. Jarvis Varnado was inactive.
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