Cavaliers scorched by the Heat after lopsided second half start

Dismal third period doomed the Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers fell against the Miami Heat in the first leg of a tough opening night of a back-to-back on the road, 117-105. Overall, the Cavs had three solid quarters of basketball, but a dismal opening to the second half effectively dug them a hole too deep to climb out of.

Despite falling behind by double-figures early, the Cavaliers characteristically rallied back to cut the deficit back to just one point by the halftime break. However, a 26-4 run by the Heat in the third quarter ultimately proved too much to overcome despite their best efforts in the final canto.

All-Star point guard Darius Garland once again led the way for Cleveland with 24 points and 10 assists, but also turned the ball over seven times and shot poorly (4-17 from the field). Rookie Evan Mobley also continued to step up in the absence of Jarrett Allen, tallying 19 markers, 12 boards, four assists, a steal, and a blocked shot in the loss.

Without Mobley’s frontcourt partner and the Cavaliers’ other All-Star Allen to help plug the interior, the Heat took advantage, dominating the paint with a total of 58 points behind by Bam Adebayo’s 30 and 17.

Cavs look to secure a postseason berth in crucial stretch

While only two fulls games behind the suddenly skidding Chicago Bulls, whom they are set to face this weekend, and the surging Boston Celtics, the Cavaliers’ position in sixth place is currently in limbo.

Winning games without their defensive anchor Allen have been significantly harder, but the team would remain in a relatively good position to hold on to the final playoff spot if Garland and frontcourt duo of Markkanen and Mobley can sustain something close to this level of production.

Until Allen becomes available, a potential return from Caris LeVert would also undoubtedly give the team a huge boost offensively while the coaching staff figures out a way to make the newcomer gel into the system in place.

The Cleveland Cavaliers fall to 38-28, only two games ahead of division rivals Toronto Raptors. They will have less than 24 hours to regroup for the second night of a back-to-back on the road against another contender in the Chicago Bulls.