Unexpected Heroes Help Cavaliers In Win Over Heat
The Cleveland Cavaliers walked out of South Beach with a double-digit victory over the Miami Heat. Overall, it was a great win for this group, but the formula for getting there wasn't what we've seen.
Evan Mobley and Caris LeVert were ruled out for the game well before tip-off which already forced J.B. Bickerstaff to readjust the lineup. Then, Darius Garland was benched six minutes into the game with three fouls. He picked up his fourth just as the second quarter got underway.
The Cavs had to turn deep into their bench purely just for players to fill minutes. But this unexpected group ended up being the heroes in the wine and gold winner.
Dean Wade
Dean Wade was inserted into the starting lineup for the injured Mobley. Wade may not be a player who feels like they're making a big difference when he's on the floor, but the advanced stats beg to differ.
He finished the night scoring just five points, grabbed six rebounds, and three steals. Wade also finished with a team-high +/- of 23 showing the impact he made on the floor.
Craig Porter Jr.
There's a very real argument to be made that Craig Porter Jr. should be in Cleveland's rotation full-time and Friday night was another example as to why.
He played 22 big minutes for the Cavs as DG sat on the bench in foul trouble. Porter stuffed the stat sheet and finished the game with eight points, three rebounds, four assists, two steals, and one block.
There's just so much to love about this rookie guards game.
Sam Merrill
Sharpshooter Sam Merrill has had trouble cracking Cleveland's rotation because of their guard depth. However, he was called upon in the first half and made the most of his opportunity.
Merrill knocked down three threes and finished with nine points on the night. These huge shots came in the middle of the Cavaliers' storm-from-behind comeback in the second quarter helping them gain momentum for the rest of the game.
Dec 8, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. (11) drives the ball around Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (5) during the first half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
© Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Tristan Thompson
Tristan Thompson may not be the same player he was when he left the Cavaliers, but he's still shown he can give quality minutes as a reserve. TT played a huge role on the defensive end in Cleveland's comeback and finished with a second high +/- of 21.
