Bad fourth dooms Cavaliers

Associated Press

MIAMI

One stingy defensive stretch was enough to carry the Miami Heat past LeBron James’ former team once again.

Might have gotten the Heat prepped for a daunting road stretch as well.

Dwyane Wade scored 26 points, James added 24 and the Heat said farewell to their home floor for nearly two weeks by beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 107-91 on Tuesday night. Miami’s lead was only a point late in the third quarter, before the Cavaliers missed 17 of their next 19 shots and the Heat finally pulled away.

Antawn Jamison scored 25 points and had nine rebounds for Cleveland, which got 17 from Alonzo Gee, and 16 points, six rebounds and six assists from Kyrie Irving. Anderson Varejao had 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who were outscored 29-19 in the fourth and got a 4 for 23 shooting night from their reserves.

“I thought we competed,” Cavaliers coach Byron Scott said. “I thought our starters played pretty well. Our second unit just couldn’t make baskets, couldn’t throw anything in the ocean. You’re not going to win a lot of games when you’re not get any contributions but again a lot of it had to do with the injuries. I’m not trying to make any excuse. You’ve got to give them a lot of credit. They’re a good basketball team.”

Facing a number of injury issues, Cleveland had only 11 players in uniform for the game. Daniel Gibson (neck infection), Tristan Thompson (sprained left ankle) and Anthony Parker (strained lower back) were not with the club, and earlier this week the team waived Mychel Thompson.