Cavs holding James out of Saturday game at Miami

James earlier revealed he was determined to play all 82 games this season.

But that wasn’t the case initially, considering the scoring show J.R. Smith displayed at the game’s onset.

The Cleveland Cavaliers really need Kyrie Irving back, for the utility he’d bring to games like last Friday against the New Orleans Pelicans would give them the extra needed edge to overcome such tough battles.

James had played in every game for the Cavaliers leading into the Miami game and that rest could be big for him and the Cavs as the December schedule moves along. “We’re just thinking long term and being conscious of taking care of (James)”.

Each game that goes by, I wonder what Gee brings to the table for this team.

“I know this is a special place for Bron and the people here want to see him and I totally understand that”, Blatt said. “And we got to get him there”.

Without James, the Cavs were no match for the Heat, who have defeated Cleveland 10 straight times in Miami.

After Wade scored 58 total points in Miami’s past two games, Spoelstra sat No. 3 during the entire fourth quarter with the result essentially decided. The Heat have won seven of its past 10 games and have done so with the NBA’s No. 2 rated defense.

Defensively, the Pelicans had three steals and were able to turn those into fast break opportunities, outscoring Cleveland 8-2 in those situations.

The Miami Heat (12-6) were led in scoring by Dwyane Wade and Tyler Johnson who both scored 19 points, while Goran Dragic added 17 points and eight assists in the win.

After starting the night just four of 12 from the floor, James scored 23 points in the fourth quarter and finished with a game-best 37. The Heat at least temporarily surpassed the Cavs for the top spot in the East. The Indiana Pacers were an overtime loss at Utah on Saturday from dropping the Cavs to third. “It’s a working process. With a team like this, we have to spread the wealth a little bit, offensively”.

Curry was 14 of 24 from the field, while he made nine three-pointers. It also happened during a 10-point loss against Boston on Monday.

What clinched it for Blatt, general manager David Griffin, and the team of trainers around James for Saturday night’s absence was how the game played out Friday – James logged 44 minutes in a game that spilled into overtime and exerted a high level of energy to drag the Cavs back from 13-points down in the fourth quarter. The Heat are also getting strong defensive contributions from Justise Winslow and Josh McRoberts off the bench, and Miami’s strong second unit could prove to be a key in this game with the Cleveland Cavaliers also having such a strong bench. Dragic had 15 points at the half. Following the impressive win, a beaming Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said, “A good professional win…I liked our guys’ approach”. “I love his approach”.