The Cleveland Cavaliers pushed the Miami Heat to the brink of elimination with a dominant 124-87 victory in Game 3, bringing them up 3-0 in the first round playoff series.
Several Cavaliers were shining, including Jarrett Allen’s 22 points, a double double with 10 rebounds and 22 points from the bench of Deandre Hunter, but Max Strus, who gained special recognition from teammate Evan Mobley.
Max Strus scored an efficient 18 points with 53.8% shooting, including four three pointers, but his defensive impact proved equally valuable as he is an effective neutralised heatstar Tyler Hero.
Under Strus’ suffocation defense, Herro managed just 13 points with 38.5% shooting, connecting only one 3 pointer throughout the contest.
“He’s like a Swiss Army knife. Anything you ask him to ask him, he’ll go out there and do it to his full potential,” Mobley praised after the match.
“Tonight he did an amazing job with Tyler Hero, making it really difficult for him to not touch the ball.”
“(He) is flocking them up, just in the right place at the right time and we need it from those people.
Mobley, the player of the year of the season, showed off his two-way ability with 19 points, one block and one steal, while pinning Cleveland’s dominant defensive efforts.
On the Cavaliers’ balanced offense, six players scored with double figures, including a double double from Tygerome with 12 points and 11 assists.
Their balanced offensive approach, combined with choking defense, is looking for answers when Miami faces elimination in Game 4.
The roster of Cleveland’s versatile players, who are excellent at both ends of the court, has proven overwhelming in the heat.
The 37-point blowout represents the Cavaliers’ most dominant playoff performance of years, and could be ready for the deep postseason behind multidimensional talent and stifling defense.