Winners and Losers: Cavs vs Heat – Effort is a mixed bag

CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 25: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat drives to the basket against Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Rocket Arena on March 25, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Cleveland Cavaliers didn’t put their best foot forward to start this game.

Let’s go over today’s winners and losers. LOSER- Coming Out Flat Second night of a back-to-back. Numerous key players are down due to injury.

Random, meaningless game in March. I understand all of the context. That still doesn’t mean it’s okay for the Cavs to come out as flat as they did tonight.

Miami built an early 20-point lead after pouncing all over Cleveland’s poor effort. Some of the Cavaliers’ offensive concerns can be excused due to simply missing shots (they shot 3-15 from three in the first half). But their defensive integrity was nowhere to be found.