Heat score 133 points to top East Group B in NBA Cup

Bam Adebayo and Giannis Antetokounmpo each scored 37 points to lead the Miami Heat to a 133-121 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night. The win secured the top spot in East Group B for the Heat in the NBA Cup.

This marked the second time in franchise history that two players scored 37 points in a single game. The previous instance occurred in 2013 when LeBron James and Dwyane Wade achieved the same feat.

Davion Mitchell contributed 22 points and 17 assists for Miami, a number that tied his career high. Ryan Conwell added 20 points from the bench. The Heat improved to 2-0 in group play and have won three consecutive games.

Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 25 points. Tyrese Proctor scored 22, James Harden had 20, Jaylon Tyson finished with 16, and Meleek Thomas added 12. Cleveland fell to 1-1 in the group standings.

Forward Evan Mobley missed his first game of the season due to a sprained left great toe. Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson stated that the MRI came back clean. He noted that while the injury is sore, the team does not expect it to be a long-term issue.

Miami was without Klay Thompson, who sprained his ankle, and Pelle Larsson, who was ill. The Heat now control their own destiny for a knockout stage berth. A sweep of their remaining road games against Philadelphia and New York guarantees a quarterfinal spot. Even a 1-1 record in those matchups offers a strong chance at a wild-card entry.

Cleveland must win both of its remaining games to advance. Those games are home against Indiana and at New York. No team in NBA Cup history has reached the knockout stage with fewer than three wins in group play. The Heat host Detroit on Saturday, while the Cavaliers host Dallas the same day.