Jimmy Butler scores 23 as Heat hold off Cavaliers 100-97
By TOM WITHERS
AP Sports Writer
CLEVELAND (AP) — Jimmy Butler scored 23 points, Bam Adebayo added 18 points and 11 rebounds and the Miami Heat showed their experience down the stretch in a 100-97 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Caleb Martin also scored 18 points and matched his career high with 10 rebounds for the Heat, who moved within 1 1/2 games of the fifth-place Cavs in the Eastern Conference standings. Butler, who has been slowed by injuries much of the season, split a pair of free throws, giving Cleveland a chance to tie, but All-Star starter Donovan Mitchell’s 3-pointer at the buzzer was short. Evan Mobley scored 19 points to lead Cleveland, which dropped to 21-6 at home.