Max Strus makes eight 3s scores 29, Jarrett Allen returns as Cavs roll to 149-128 win over Heat

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Cleveland Cavaliers guard Max Strus (2) shoots over Miami Heat guard Pelle Larsson, left, in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Friday, March 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen, left, celebrates with teammate James Harden (1) in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat in Cleveland, Friday, March 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) — Cleveland Cavaliers guard Max Strus (2) shoots over Miami Heat guard Pelle Larsson, left, in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Friday, March 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

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10:24 PM on Friday, March 27

By TOM WITHERS

CLEVELAND (AP) — Max Strus scored 29 points, Evan Mobley had 23 and Jarrett Allen came back from injury to add 18, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 149-128 win over the Miami Heat on Friday night in the second matchup between the teams in three days.

Strus made six of his eight 3-pointers in a 22-point first half as the Cavs bolted to a 35-point lead. He made one just ahead of the halftime horn to put Cleveland ahead 81-46 and cap the team's highest scoring half this season.

The Cavs bounced back from a 120-103 loss to the Heat on Wednesday with a strong performance and matched the team record for points in a regulation game.

Allen's return provided a major spark. He missed 10 games with tendinitis in his knee. The 27-year-old's absence especially hurt on defense and deprived him time to build chemistry with star guard James Harden, whose acquisition at the trade deadline has raised title hopes.

Harden finished with 17 points and 14 assists, his most with Cleveland. Donovan Mitchell scored just six on 1 of 10 shooting.

Down by 36, the Heat fought back and got within 101-82 on a 3-pointer by Jamie Jaquez Jr. But Cleveland regrouped and Keon Ellis drilled a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the Cavaliers a comfortable 109-87 lead entering the fourth.

Jaquez scored 20 points to pace the Heat. Bam Adebayo added 14 and 16 rebounds.

The loss dropped Miami from a three-way tie for the No. 8 spot in the Eastern Conference into 10th, behind Orlando and Charlotte, which were idle.

Strus, who was playing in just his sixth game after foot surgery, made an immediate impact by making four 3-pointers in the last 4:37 of the first quarter to help the Cavs open a double-digit lead.

Up next

Heat: At Indiana Pacers on Sunday.

Cavaliers: At Utah Jazz on Monday.

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