The Miami Heat (40 - 29) handily defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers (49 - 20) 122 - 101 on Saturday. The Heat ambushed their unsuspecting visitors right from the jump, and kept the foot on the gas the rest of the way. Miami won the first quarter by a margin of 31 - 19, and had built up a 65 - 44 lead by halftime. They tallied one of their best point totals of the season through superior shooting, as they managed a 55 success rate from the field, and an even more impressive 58 percent figure from beyond the arc. Dwyane Wade stepped up to lead the starters, and Josh Richardson and Hassan Whiteside were outstanding contributors off the bench. LeBron James did manage an impressive effort at the scene of some of his greatest career accomplishments, posting 26 points, three points, three assists and a steal. Kyrie Irving contributed 14 points, four assists and three steals. Richard Jefferson paced the bench with 20 points, four rebounds, an assist and a steal. Matthew Delladedova also managed double - digit scoring off the bench, supplying 10 points, three assists and a rebound. Despite the loss, Cleveland remains atop the Eastern Conference's Central Division, and the conference as well, albeit by a slim 2 games ahead of the Toronto Raptors. They head back home to face off against the Denver Nuggets on Monday night. Wade totaled 24 points, four rebounds, four assists and a steal. Goran Dragic and Joe Johnson were next with a pair of 18 - point efforts. Dragic also dished out 11 assists, hauled in four rebounds and recorded a steal, while Johnson posted three boards, two assists and two steals. Richardson led the bench with 19 points, two rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block. Whiteside managed a 16 - point, 13 - rebound double - double, which also included two assists and two blocks. Miami is currently in second place in the Eastern Conference's Southeast Division, and is presently slotted in the fourth seed as well. They travel to New Orleans to face the Pelicans on Tuesday.
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