Cavs serve reminder of how things can go when they’re clicking

CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers talked about it. Then they showed it.

After getting called out for their defense and overall approach earlier in the week, the Cavs delivered a full-on response in a 149-128 home win over the Miami Heat.

It wasn’t just better. It was everything they’ve been capable of — and haven’t always shown.

Start with the beginning. The Cavs came out sharp, engaged and ready. No sluggish start this time.

They scored 81 points in the first half and built a lead that quickly got out of hand. By the third quarter, it was essentially over.

That’s how you answer.

Max Strus led the way with 29 points, hitting eight three-pointers. He had it rolling early and never cooled off.

The Cavs (46-28) needed perimeter shooting after struggling from deep in the previous matchup, and Strus delivered.

Meanwhile, Donovan Mitchell didn’t have it offensively, and it didn’t matter.

Mitchell finished with just six points on 1-of-10 shooting. On most nights, that’s a problem. Not this one.

The Cavs had more than enough elsewhere, which may have been the most encouraging sign of the night. They didn’t need Mitchell to carry them. They didn’t even need him to be very good.

They just needed him to keep things moving.

Evan Mobley continued his strong stretch with 23 points and 10 rebounds on 9-of-11 shooting. He was aggressive early and efficient throughout, finishing plays around the rim and taking advantage of mismatches.

But the biggest development may have been the return of Jarrett Allen.

Allen posted 18 points and 10 rebounds in his first game back after missing time with a knee injury.

More importantly, he looked like himself. Active. Physical. Finishing around the basket and anchoring the interior. You could feel the difference.

With Allen and Mobley together, the Cavs had their defensive backbone again and a steady source of offense inside. It also opened things up for others.

That included James Harden, who quietly ran the show with 17 points and 14 assists. He controlled tempo, found shooters, and kept everyone involved. That’s the version Cleveland needs.

The ball moved. The shots fell. The offense looked easy.

The Cavs shot 55 percent from the field and 20-of-41 from three. That’ll work.

Defensively, it still wasn’t perfect. Miami scored 128 and had stretches where it found rhythm.

But the Cavs were more connected, more active, and far more disruptive than they had been earlier in the week. That’s not nothing.

For Miami, Bam Adebayo finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Tyler Herro added 18.

The Heat had balance again, but this time they couldn’t keep up. Not with the Cavs playing like this.

So what does it mean? Maybe not everything. It’s one game.

But it’s also a reminder that when the Cavs are locked in, when Allen is on the floor, when the ball is moving and the shots are falling, they can look like a team that’s hard to beat.

Now comes the real test, and that’s to keep doing it.