National Basketball Association
Miami 107, Cleveland 104
When: 7:00 PM ET, Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Where: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, Ohio
Officials: #35 Jason Goldenberg, #19 James Capers, #53 John Butler
Attendance: 19432

Terry Rozier scored seven of his 24 points down the stretch, including on a step-back 3-pointer with 14.5 seconds remaining in regulation, which proved to be the game-winner for the visiting Miami Heat in their 107-104 defeat of the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday.

Miami, which came in having last beaten a team with a record above .500 on Feb. 26, led most of the way against a Cleveland team that entered the night third in the Eastern Conference.

The Heat (38-31) could not gain much separation, however, pushing their advantage to 11 points at its peak. Playing without Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Max Strus, the Cavaliers (43-26) rallied to take a fourth-quarter lead behind Georges Niang's 10 points in the period.

Niang was one of five Cleveland scorers in double figures, finishing with 18 points. Jarrett Allen recorded his 34th double-double of the season and first 20-plus-point, 20-plus-rebound double-double since Dec. 27 with a team-high 25 points and 20 boards.

Niang's final two points came on a pair of free throws with 1:34 remaining, giving the Cavaliers a four-point lead, but Rozier immediately negated the edge when Isaac Okoro fouled Rozier on a made 3-point attempt.

Rozier converted the four-point play to tie it at 100-100, then Miami forced a shot-clock violation on the ensuing Cleveland possession to set up the game-winning basket.

Rozier shot 5-of-6 from 3-point range. Jimmy Butler, who scored a game-high 30 points, went 2-of-4 from beyond the arc and 11-of-19 from the floor overall.

Butler also had four steals. Patty Mills, who scored 10 points, added two steals. Nikola Jovic shot 4-of-10 from 3-point distance on his way to 14 points for Miami.

Caris LeVert recorded his third double-double in the past five games with 16 points and 12 assists in the loss. Darius Garland shot 5-of-12 from 3-point range en route to 20 points, while Sam Merrill went 4-of-9 beyond the arc for all 12 of his points off the bench.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Miami   Cleveland
Jimmy Butler 30 Scoring Jarrett Allen 25
Jimmy Butler 5 Assists Caris LeVert 12
Thomas Bryant 10 Rebounds Jarrett Allen 20
Jimmy Butler 6 Free Throws Made Caris LeVert 7
Jimmy Butler 4 Steals Caris LeVert 2
Thomas Bryant 1 Blocks Caris LeVert 1
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Miami 107 45.8 13-36 18-19 19 37 2 7 8
Cleveland 104 46.7 15-42 19-22 30 37 2 3 12
Upcoming Games
  • Cleveland will play their next game on the road against Minnesota. The Cavaliers have a W/L % of .581 after a win and .692 after a loss.
  • Miami will play their next game at home against New Orleans. The Heat have a W/L % of .568 after a win and .531 after a loss.