Cleveland Oh. – If Terry Rozier had any love for the hometown, he certainly didn’t show it tonight as the Shaker Red Raider scored nine points in the final minute and a half to lead the Miami Heat to a win over the Cavs. A four-point play with 14 seconds left was the dagger, while the free throws after a George Niang layup sealed the deal for the Heat.
“That’s why we went after Terry” Coach Spoelstra said after the game. “We wanted to have another guy who can make something happen late in games.”
The Heat, playing without Bam Adebayo and Duncan Robinson, are now within a half game of the Sixers for the 6th seed. With the Cavs somewhat locked into the 3rd seed, this could have been a preview of a first-round matchup. While it is a little too early to claim that the Cavs were also down bodies in this game. Donovan Mitchell was out with a broken nose. Max Strus is still dealing with his knee injury. While Evan Mobley is still dealing with an ankle.
Coach JB Bickerstaff said “All are closer, but there’s no timetable” the Cavs would like to get their guys back as they gear up for a much-anticipated playoff run. Nights like tonight feel like the playoffs in some ways. A quality team, with a guy they will more than likely have to see. Jimmy Butler scored 30 points and seemed to be able to have scored more if Rozier wasn’t clutch down the stretch. But Butler understood that Rozier had it going and was complimentary of Rozier after. “Terry put on a show…. Basketball is supposed to be fun, and him doing it somewhat at his crib, in front of his people, was something.”
While Cleveland loves our guys, tonight, we could have used a little less from Rozier.
Up next the Cavs will travel to Minnesota on Friday night, before playing in Miami Sunday. They will return home to play Charlotte on Monday.
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