Bam Adebayo posted 18 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists in Miami’s 120-103 win over Cleveland on Wednesday.
The Miami Heat (39-34, 8th in Eastern Conference) wrap up a two-game series against the Cleveland Cavaliers (45-28, 4th in East) at Rocket Arena on Friday, marking their third meeting this season and second in the last three days.
Following a five-game losing streak, Miami got back in the win column with a 120-103 statement victory over Cleveland on Wednesday, powered by eight Heat players scoring in double figures. The loss ended a four-game win streak for the Cavs, who are now 1-2 on the season against their conference rivals.
Here are three storylines to know before tonight’s matchup:
1. Norman Powell scoring in bunches: Whether he’s starting or coming off the bench, Powell continues to deliver for the Heat. The 11-year veteran and 2026 NBA All-Star leads Miami in scoring, pouring in a career-best 22.2 points per game on 47.2 / 38.4 / 82.3 shooting splits in just over 30 minutes a night.
Although still a knockdown threat from behind the arc, he’s contributing in a variety of ways for the Heat’s up-tempo offense, which currently ranks second in the league in scoring (120.2 ppg). He’s averaging 8.1 ppg in the paint (19th among qualified guards) and 3.5 fast break points (13th in league) to help a Miami team that ranks 1st in drives (60.8), 2nd in drive ppg (33.5), and third in paint scoring (54.4) and fast break scoring (18.0). The 32-year-old has been a thorn in Cleveland’s side, posting 26.3 ppg, 3.0 apg and 1.0 spg on 51.0 / 46.2 / 94.4 splits in three outings this season.
2. Heat battling for playoff spot: At five games over .500, Miami is fighting for a top-six seed in the Eastern Conference for the first time since 2021-22. They’ve had to scrap and claw their way through the SoFi Play-In Tournament each of the last three seasons, including in 2024-25 before ultimately being swept out of the first round by, coincidently, the Cavaliers.
Just two games separate the eighth-seeded Heat from the fifth-seeded Atlanta Hawks (41-32), while the Charlotte Hornets (9th) and Orlando Magic (10th) are only a half-game behind them. There’s plenty at stake over the final 16 days of the 2025-26 campaign, and how the No. 5 through No. 10 spots shake out is something that may not be decided until the dust has settled on the regular season. Miami will have plenty to say about it, as they have one game versus the Philadelphia 76ers (7th), two against the Toronto Raptors (6th), and one against Atlanta to finish the year.
3. Cavs have to get Evan Mobley involved: Mobley, the ‘24-’25 Defensive Player of the Year, seemed to fade into the background of Cleveland’s loss to Miami on Wednesday. He finished with eight points on just 3-of-8 shooting with five rebounds and four assists in 31 minutes of action. It was his second straight outing with eight field goal attempts, but his first single-digit scoring output since Jan. 2.
Over his previous six contests, Mobley averaged 22.8 ppg, 10.7 rpg, 3.3 apg and 1.7 bpg while connecting on 69.0% of his shots (10.0-14.5 FG) in 31.9 mpg. Cleveland went 5-1 during that stretch while ranking third in scoring (123.8 ppg) and second in field goal percentage (52.2). Look for the Cavs to get their star big some early touches to get him in a better rhythm offensively.
