The Cleveland Cavaliers put on a show against the Miami Heat, and Max Strus was the star of the night. After sitting out the previous game, Strus came out firing, dropping 29 points and grabbing eight rebounds in just 23 minutes. His shooting was lights out, hitting 10-of-14 from the field and an impressive 8-of-11 from downtown.
Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, who knows Strus well from their time together in Miami, wasn't shocked by the performance. Spoelstra described Strus as "ignitable," noting that sitting out a game often fuels his competitive fire. It’s clear that Strus was dialed in, and his performance was a testament to his ability to seize the moment.
The Cavaliers' victory over the Heat, with a final score of 149-128, boosts their record to 46-28. Strus is averaging 12.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists this season, with shooting splits of 51.0% from the field, 48.8% from three-point range, and 83.3% from the line. These numbers are even more impressive considering he missed the first 67 games of the season, yet he's returned without missing a beat.
The Cavaliers are feeling the heat to make a deep playoff run, especially after bringing in James Harden. With a lineup featuring Harden, Strus, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen, expectations are sky-high.
The team hasn't seen the conference finals since 2018, but with this roster, falling short of a deep playoff push would be a disappointment. Keep an eye on Strus and the Cavs as they gear up for what promises to be an exciting postseason.