Norman Powell understands Miami’s ‘bad loss’ to Cavs without key stars

ByNBAUSA


MIAMI – Like The Miami Heat suffered a disappointing loss against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night, 130-116, came against a team missing Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and Evan Mobley. Coming with The Heat’s win over the fully healthy Cavaliers on Monday, which ended with Andrew Wiggins’ game-winning dunk in overtime, this was undoubtedly a shock because Norman Powell was open about performance.

Powell himself would have another productive game individually, leading the team with 27 points, five assists and two rebounds, but was frustrated after the contest. While Cleveland is a well-coached team that has proven to be a top seed in the Eastern Conference, Powell wouldn’t hold back on calling this outing “a very bad loss.”

“I mean, it’s a very bad loss,” Powell told ClutchPoints. “You know, they’re a good team, but we know when they sit their starters, their best guys, you know, that’s when we have to put a stamp on the game and not give them life. So it’s a bad loss for us, especially after the game we had against them earlier, we have to turn the page quickly.”

The veteran guard would also note the 21 turnovers Cleveland forced Miami to lead to 29 opposing points, and that the Cavaliers took more free throw attempts than their 13, which he said, “is just the way the game is.” It wouldn’t start that way as the home team started like they have all season, before letting their foot off the gas and giving Cleveland life, blowing a double-digit lead.

The warmth Jaime Jaquez Jr. about preventing deja vu

Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. (11) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers center Thomas Bryant (3) during the fourth quarter at Cassia Center.
Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Doc Jaime Jaquez Jr. has grown tremendously with the Heat this season, Wednesday marked his most frustrating outing yet, as he scored 11 points on 4-of-15 shooting from the field. Jaquez would not want to make excuses after the game, taking responsibility for his performance.

He would tell ClutchPoints that Miami will take the loss as a “learning experience” and cites the team’s motivation to stave off deja vu from last season’s double-digit lead, which tied for first in the NBA.

“I just want to be a great team,” Jaquez said. “I think our motivation tonight is that we had an opportunity. Obviously, they were missing a lot of guys. And, you know, I think maybe that affected us. As great teams, it doesn’t matter who’s out there, you have to do your best. And obviously, you know, we just didn’t do that tonight. We’re going to learn this as a lot from this game. Hopefully we can take that into the future.”

Norman Powell of the Heat against the Knicks on Friday

The Heat have a chance to bounce back in a big way against the New York Knicks on Friday in the league’s NBA Cup season. With a strong desire for the bracket competition and even next Monday’s game, the Knicks could be without star Jalen Brunson as Wednesday’s loss dropped the Orlando Magic in “walking boot and crutches”, according to James L. Edwards III.

“We have a tournament game of the season against a Knicks team that is going to be hungry,” Powell told ClutchPoints. “They’re playing well. I want to beat them here. So I know they want to protect home turf. It’s not going to be easy. So we’ve got to be ready for a physical, fast-paced game. You know, they play really well at home, and it’s going to take each of us to be locked in defensively in that game, limit them from getting second chances, so 8 is an opportunity. there can’t be any excuses.”

Anyway, the Heat are now 8-4 and with Wednesday’s result, they are now 5-1 at home, but will travel to face New York on Friday.





2025-11-13 05:28:00

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