Cavaliers at Heat
THE STORY: The Heat don’t play with a center or a point guard in the fourth quarter anymore, but they don’t need them. They are 18-6 with a patchwork lineup that includes their Big Three, Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem. These days, the Cavaliers are simply patchwork. Coach Byron Scott insists his team is better than it was two weeks ago when they made this trip to Miami, but they’re certainly more wounded. The Cavaliers will play the Heat on Tuesday without shooting guards Anthony Parker and Daniel Gibson and rookie forward Tristan Thompson, who are all out with injuries. The loss of Gibson was surprising since he participated in practice Monday and seemed ready to board the plane. But he complained of pain in his neck before the team boarded the plane and he was left behind. The injury will prevent Gibson from facing his old pal LeBron James, who might be closing in on his third MVP award in four seasons. The Heat have won seven of their last eight behind James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cavaliers), Sun Sports (Heat)
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (9-13): Undrafted rookie Mychel Thompson was waived Monday after starting the last three games at shooting guard. The team was under the belief Gibson was returning from his neck injury, but would’ve waived Thompson anyway before his contract became guaranteed for the season Friday. With Gibson and Parker out, Alonzo Gee will likely get a rare start at shooting guard against the Heat.
ABOUT THE HEAT (18-6): James said Monday he is enjoying his best season since his senior year of high school. James is second in the league in scoring at 29.2 points, he’s shooting a career-best 55.2 percent and averaging a career-high 8.5 rebounds. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra called him the league’s best player and Wade agreed. James said during last season he figured his decision to join the Heat probably meant he’d never win another MVP award. At this rate, he’s about to prove himself wrong.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Heat are 4-1 against the Cavaliers since James joined them prior to the start of last season.
2. Cavaliers rookie Kyrie Irving is averaging 22.8 points and 5.4 assists in his last five games.
3. Chris Bosh scored 35 points, including 21 in the fourth quarter of the Heat’s victory over Cleveland two weeks ago.