The Cleveland Cavaliers, with the best record in the NBA at 21-3, are set to face the Miami Heat on Sunday evening.
Heat center Bam Adebayo, speaking after Miami’s 121-111 home win over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday, shared his thoughts on the upcoming game against Cleveland.
“It’s another test,” Adebayo said about the Cavaliers, who have won their last four games. “I’ve got to hurry to get to the back to get off my feet.”
This makes sense, as the Heat will need to rest as much as possible before taking on the Cavaliers, who had a historic start to the season with 15 consecutive wins. Cleveland is just the fourth team in NBA history to begin a season 15-0, and only the third franchise to achieve that feat since 1950.
The Cavaliers lead the NBA in scoring, averaging 121.8 points per game, and have scored at least 101 points in every game this season.
Meanwhile, the Heat, currently 11-10, haven’t been able to get more than one game above .500. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said the team needs to find a sense of urgency to improve their position in the standings, as they are currently sixth in the Eastern Conference.
Spoelstra also praised Adebayo for his recent performances. In the win over the Suns, Adebayo recorded a team-high 25 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists. Although Adebayo’s scoring has been lower this season, Spoelstra emphasized that his overall performance has been solid.
“If you have the record we have, we leave ourselves open to whatever narrative,” Spoelstra said. “But Bam has been playing winning basketball the past five or six games. He has been having close to a triple-double every game.”
Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA)
Spoelstra added, “It’s a shame people will only notice if he is scoring. But we don’t want him to think like that. It will all come together as long as we are winning. Bam can impact games in so many different ways. I want him taking over the defense. He is our voice.”
Tyler Herro has been the Heat’s leading scorer this season, averaging 23.8 points per game. However, it was Jimmy Butler who stepped up in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game, scoring nine straight points for the Heat in the final five minutes.
“Jimmy allows us to have those possessions where we know we will get a smart decision,” Spoelstra said.
The Cavaliers, on the other hand, won their game against the Charlotte Hornets 116-102 on Saturday. Evan Mobley, Cleveland’s power forward, had a career-high 41 points, along with 10 rebounds, three blocks, two assists, and one steal in 34 minutes. He made 16 of 23 shots, including 6 of 8 from three-point range, and hit 3 of 4 free throws.
For the season, Donovan Mitchell leads the Cavaliers in scoring with 24.2 points per game, and Darius Garland leads the team in assists with 6.5. Jarrett Allen leads in rebounds with 10.5, and Mobley tops the team in blocks with 1.6.
Cleveland is known for being a balanced team, but at the moment, they are especially excited about Mobley’s growth.
“He has the talent,” Garland said. “He has the length. He has all the abilities to be one of the best, and I think he has a good chance to do that.”
Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson has a lot of confidence in Mobley’s future.
“He’s an elite player in this league,” Atkinson said. “To me, he’s top 20, and he can be top 10, easy.”