Cavs’ chances increase greatly when Max Strus is on the loose

CLEVELAND — This felt like the night Max Strus finally looked like himself again.

Not just back in the lineup. Back in form.

Strus knocked down eight three-pointers and scored 29 points in the Cavaliers’ win over Miami. It wasn’t just the numbers. It was the way it looked. Quick release. Confident. No hesitation.

He missed most of the season with a Jones fracture and returned earlier this month. The production had been uneven. This was different.

“Like I can’t miss,” Strus said after. “Just trying to find a way to make an open shot. Just one, looking for the next one… nights like that are special.”

The Cavs have been waiting for this version. Strus is one of their primary floor spacers. When he’s right, defenses can’t help the same way. Driving lanes open. Ball movement improves. The offense flows more naturally.

That showed up against the Heat.

Cleveland generated cleaner looks. The ball didn’t stick. The spacing looked like it did earlier in the year when everything was clicking.

There’s more to Strus than shooting. He moves without the ball, competes defensively, and fits into lineups without needing touches. That matters for a group built around Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen and James Harden.

The Cavs don’t need 29 points from him. They need this version. A threat. A presence teams account for.

If that’s what this becomes heading into the playoffs, it gives Cleveland another dimension it hasn’t consistently had this season.

Friday looked like a step in that direction.