Game Night Observations: Cleveland Cavaliers Punch Their Ticket, Defining Greatness and Tributes to the Past

Did YOU think the Cavs would start 52-10?

The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Miami Heat 112-107 on Wednesday night at Rocket Arena. It’s the team’s 12th consecutive win and makes them the first team this season to clinch a playoff berth.

For the third consecutive game, the Cavs have had to find a way to come from behind against an inferior opponent. On Sunday it was Portland, on Tuesday it was Chicago and on Wednesday night it was a shorthanded Miami team. Since last Friday’s emotional win in Boston, the Cavs haven’t been at their best, or anywhere near it.

Yet, they’ve still found a way to win those games. That’s the sign of a truly great team.

Great teams can do two things that really good teams can’t.

They can reach a higher level at their peak. The Cavs have shown this in games against the two other great teams¹ and in plenty of games against teams that are beneath them. Whether it’s been for full games or for stretches of games, there are only two teams² that are capable of reaching the same level the Cavs can.

Great teams also find ways to win games when they’re not playing well. That’s what the Cavs did on Wednesday night, and that’s what they’ve done in the past three games.