MIAMI (AP) — The Miami Heat were a worthy warmup act for Dwyane Wade’s jersey retirement Saturday night, breaking a 23-year-old franchise record for points in the first half en route to a 124-105 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Miami shot 77% in the first half and then turned the stage over to Wade, whose No. 3 jersey was hoisted to the rafters at halftime. The ceremony was part of a three-day celebration of Wade’s career that included three NBA titles with Miami.
The Heat believe they’re building another championship contender, and they looked the part against the hapless Cavaliers.
Miami made its first nine shots and led 38-32 after one quarter. Then Wade made a grand entrance to take his seat in the first row across from the Heat bench, and then really stepped on the gas.
The Heat went 15 for 17 in the second period, outscoring the Cavs 44-20 for an 82-52 lead at the half.
Wade’s impression of the first half?
“I didn’t watch it,” he said.
After taking his seat, he spent much of the time chatting with other spectators, and departed before halftime to prepare for the ceremony.
The Heat broke the franchise record of 75 points in the first half in November 1997 against the Los Angeles Clippers, a mark that predated Wade’s 16-year NBA career.
The game was so lopsided that Wade’s close friend, Udonis Haslem, played for only the third time this season during garbage time.
Rookie Kendrick Nunn led seven scorers in double figures for Miami with 24 points, and he had eight assists. Bam Adebayo had 15 points and nine assists.
Miami shot a season-best 57% and made 19 3-pointers.
Cedi Osman led Cleveland with 19 points.
The Heat earned their eighth consecutive victory against the Cavs, including three this season, and have beaten Cleveland 18 times in a row in Miami.
NOT PLAYING
Guard-forward Jimmy Butler, the Heat’s leading scorer, was sidelined for personal reasons. Guard Tyler Herro and forward-center Meyers Leonard missed their seventh game in a row with ankle injuries.
Cavaliers forward-center Kevin Love sat out for the second time in the past three games because of a sore right Achilles’ tendon.
TIP-INS
Heat: Playing shorthanded lately because of injuries, they had lost five of their past six games. They improved to 23-3 at home.
Cavaliers: They fell to 15-41, worst in the Eastern Conference, and 1-1 under coach J.B. Bickerstaff.
UP NEXT
The teams meet again for the final time in the regular season Monday at Cleveland.
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