MIAMI (AP) – Tyler Herro scored 34 points, Duncan Robinson had 23 and the Miami Heat stayed hot by beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 122-113 on Sunday night.
Jimmy Butler scored 18 and Bam Adebayo had 16 points, 13 rebounds and six assists for Miami. Terry Rozier added 14 for the Heat.
Darius Garland scored 23 for Cleveland, which fell to 21-4 – still matching the best 25-game start in team history. Georges Niang scored 15 for the Cavs, who lost Evan Mobley in the first half to a sprained ankle.
Donovan Mitchell was held to 12 points on 5-of-16 shooting for Cleveland.
Both teams shot exactly 41 for 86 – 47.7% – in the game.
Cavaliers: Cleveland is now 5-3 against the Southeast Division – and 16-1 against the rest of the NBA. The Cavs are 6-4 after their 15-0 start.
Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro sets to take a shot as Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, left, defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)
Heat: Miami has scored at least 121 points in each of its last three games, tying the longest such streak in franchise history – it was done twice previously. The Heat have won three consecutive games overall and four in a row at home, both season bests.
A huge possession for Miami during the closing push: Dru Smith – a 6-foot-2 reserve guard – got two offensive rebounds on the same trip, then got the ball back and made a 3-pointer from the left corner to give the Heat a 112-99 lead with 4:22 left.
Herro’s two highest-scoring third quarters of his career were in a five-day span: 21 points against the Lakers on Wednesday and 19 points on Sunday.
The teams not in the NBA Cup knockout round get a few days off now. Cleveland hosts Washington on Friday and Miami hosts Toronto on Thursday.
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) drives to the basket as Cleveland Cavaliers guard Caris LeVert, left, defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)
Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier drives to the baskets as Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)
Miami Heat guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. (11) drives around Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)
Miami Heat forward Duncan Robinson (55) looks to pass the ball as Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) and forward Evan Mobley, right, defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)
Miami Heat forward Haywood Highsmith, left, passes the ball as Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade, right, closes in during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)
Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro, top left, looks to pass the ball as Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) brings the ball upcourt as Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade, left, defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade (32) reaches for a loose ball as Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler and center Bam Adebayo, left, look on during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)
Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) drives to the basket as Cleveland Cavaliers forward Georges Niang (20) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)
