Kenny Atkinson Says Heat's Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo Dominated Cavs In Paint

Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo dominated his team in the paint during a 133-121 loss to the Miami Heat.

Antetokounmpo and Adebayo each finished with 37 points in the NBA Cup game on Friday, Nov. 13. Miami scored 54 points in the paint, and Cleveland scored 40.

"Giannis and Bam had their way with us...they kind of dominated us in the paint -- those two guys," Atkinson said.

Adebayo scored his 37 points on 13-of-19 shooting and added 14 rebounds against the Cavaliers. Antetokounmpo reached the same total by making 15 of his 20 field-goal attempts.

The game marked the second time two Heat players each scored 37 points in one game. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade were the first pair to do it, in 2013.

Cleveland played without forward Evan Mobley, who missed his first game of the season with a sprained left great toe.

"The MRI came back clean," Atkinson said. "Sprained, definitely sore, but we don't expect it to be a long-term thing at all."

Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 25 points, and Tyrese Proctor added 22. James Harden scored 20, Jaylon Tyson had 16 and Meleek Thomas finished with 12 points in the loss.

Cleveland held a 57-54 lead at halftime. Miami then outscored the Cavaliers 79-64 across the third and fourth quarters.

Davion Mitchell had 22 points and tied his career high with 17 assists for Miami. Ryan Conwell contributed 20 points as a reserve, and the Heat extended their winning streak to three games.

Miami played without Klay Thompson, who has a sprained ankle, and Pelle Larsson, who was out with an illness.

The Heat improved to 2-0 in NBA Cup play and sit alone atop East Group B. Miami also reached .500 for the first time this season at 6-6.

Cleveland fell to 6-7 overall and 1-1 in group play after coming off a win over the New York Knicks.

Miami would reach the quarterfinals by sweeping its last two group games, both on the road against the Philadelphia 76ers and the Knicks.

Cleveland will almost certainly need to win at home against the Indiana Pacers and then at New York to have a shot at advancing. Every team that has reached the NBA Cup knockout rounds has gone at least 3-1 in group play.

The Heat, now 2-0 in group play, host the Detroit Pistons on Saturday.

The Cavaliers face the Dallas Mavericks in Cleveland on Saturday, one night after the loss in Miami.