Heat getting ready for conflict with NBA-best Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers, who have the NBA’s best record at 21-3, are set to invade Miami to play the Heat on Sunday evening.

Heat center Bam Adebayo, interviewed on the court Saturday night after a 121-111 home win over the Phoenix Suns, shared his thoughts about facing Cleveland.

“It’s another test,” Adebayo said of the Cavaliers, who have won four straight games. “I’ve got to hurry to get to the back to get off my feet.”

Good idea.

The Heat will need to rest as much as possible before taking on the Cavaliers, who started this season with 15 straight wins.

Cleveland became just the fourth team in NBA history to start a season 15-0, and the Cavaliers are only the third franchise to accomplish that feat since 1950.

The Cavaliers lead the NBA in scoring with an average of 121.8 points a game. They have at least 101 points in every game this season.

Meanwhile, the Heat — currently 11-10 — haven’t gotten more than one game over .500.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said his team needs a sense of urgency to move up in the standings. They’re currently sixth in the Eastern Conference.

But Spoelstra also praised Adebayo, who had game highs on Saturday in points (25), rebounds (12) and assists (eight). His scoring is down this season, but not his overall performance, Spoelstra said.

“If you have the record we have, we leave ourselves open to whatever narrative,” Spoelstra said. “But Bam has been playing winning basketball the past five or six games. He has been having close to a triple-double every game.

“It’s a shame people will only notice if he is scoring. But we don’t want him to think like that. It will all come together as long as we are winning.

“Bam can impact games in so many different ways. I want him taking over the defense. He is our voice.”

Tyler Herro has led Miami in scoring (23.8 points a game) this season, but in Saturday’s fourth quarter, it was Jimmy Butler who took over, scoring nine straight Heat points in the final five minutes.

“Jimmy allows us to have those possessions where we know we will get a smart decision,” Spoelstra said.

The Cavaliers on Saturday defeated the host Charlotte Hornets 116-102.

Cavaliers power forward Evan Mobley scored a career-high 41 points and added 10 rebounds, three blocks, two assists and one steal in 34 minutes. He made 16 of 23 shots from the floor, including 6 of 8 on 3-pointers, and he hit 3 of 4 free throws.

For the season, Donovan Mitchell leads the Cavaliers in scoring (24.2 points per game) and steals (1.5). Darius Garland (6.5) leads them in assists, Jarrett Allen leads in rebounds (10.5), and Mobley tops Cleveland in blocks (1.6).

In other words, this is a balanced team.

But, understandably, the Cavaliers are most excited at the moment about Mobley.

“He has the talent,” Garland said. “He has the length. He has all the abilities to be one of the best, and I think he has a good chance to do that.”

Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson has a great deal of faith in Mobley.

“He’s an elite player in this league,” Atkinson said. “To me, he’s top 20, and he can be top 10, easy.”

–Field Level Media