Cavaliers End 20-Game Losing Streak in Miami, Beat Heat 111-85
MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) – Kevin Love scored 22 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers snapped a 20-game losing streak in Miami, beating the Heat 111-85 on Wednesday night.
Jarrett Allen added 19 points and 11 rebounds and Darius Garland finished with 16 points for the Cavaliers, who had not won on the Heat's home court since Jan. 25, 2010.
The Cavaliers also got a double-double from Evan Mobley with his 17-point, 11-rebound outing.
Tyler Herro scored 21 points for Miami.
Cleveland took the lead for good early — a 14-0 run in the first quarter. Love hit two 3-pointers during the surge, finishing 6 of 8 from beyond the arc.
The Cavaliers shot 16-of-31 3-pointers and built a 61-43 lead at halftime, then went on an 18-4 run to end the third period.
Dewayne Dedmon started at center for Miami in place of Bam Adebayo, who learned Wednesday that he's likely out until at least mid-January.
Tests confirmed that Adebayo tore a ligament in his right thumb during Monday's loss to Denver.
He has been scheduled to undergo surgery Sunday, at which time the Heat will have a more definitive timetable for his return.
Jimmy Butler (bruised tailbone) also remained sidelined for Miami.
Heat guard Duncan Robinson was scoreless in seven field-goal attempts, ending his franchise record of consecutive games with a 3-pointer at 69.
TIP-INS
Cavaliers: This is the first season since 2000-01 that Cleveland hasn't been below .500 after 22 games without LeBron James on the roster.
Garland became very familiar to Erik Spoelstra over the summer when the Heat coach led the USA Basketball select team tasked with helping the Olympic team get ready for the Tokyo Games.
Garland was one of the select team's top players. "He had his moments," Spoelstra said.
Heat: The game was played one day shy of the 11th anniversary of the Heat vs. Cavaliers game in which James returned to Cleveland as an opponent for the first time.
Butler missed his fifth game of the season, Adebayo his fourth.
LOWRY PENALTY
The NBA announced Wednesday that the Heat will lose a future second-round draft pick as the penalty for violating "league rules governing the timing of this season's free agency discussions."
The NBA had spent months looking into the circumstances surrounding Miami's acquisition of Kyle Lowry in the offseason.
The same penalty was imposed Wednesday on the Chicago Bulls, who were probed for how they landed Lonzo Ball.
DECEMBER TO REMEMBER
It will be a hectic month for both teams.
The Cavaliers and Heat both play 16 times in December.
UP NEXT
Cavaliers: Visit Washington on Friday.
Heat: Visit Indiana on Friday.
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