Winderman’s view: Heat in two nights go from infuriating to inspiring

MIAMI — Observations and other notes of interest from Sunday night’s 121-84 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers:

– This is how the Heat can be both inspiring and infuriating at the same time.

– Inspiring because of the bounceback after Friday night’s no-show against the Pelicans.

– Infuriating because of losses like that game against New Orleans, when it seemed as if they simply could not be bothered.

– A little more of what the Heat offered Sunday, and a little less of what was on display on Friday night, and there wouldn’t be this desperate scramble in the play-in bracket.

– No excuses this time for injuries.

– Simply effort.

– Because sometimes it can be that simple.

– Such as Sunday’s first half.

– When the defense was stifling and Bam Adebayo was everywhere.

– That’s how you win when missing the scoring of Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr.

– And when missing the shooting of Duncan Robinson and Kevin Love.

– For the most important games, each of those will be needed.

– For games like this, effort (and a few timely 3-pointers) can go a long way.

– Next the ante will be upped, with the Warriors visiting Tuesday in the third-game of this four-game homestand.

– Asked pregame about his frustration level with the injuries, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra turned the question around.

– “I’m not even thinking about frustration,” he said. “I’m just thinking about, ‘What do we need to do to prepare, put ourselves in a position to win?’ You have to attack whatever your reality is and not overwhelm yourself with things you can’t control.”

– He added, “We’ve proven that when we get consistent to our identity, it doesn’t matter in the short term who is available and who’s not. And we’re wrapping our minds around to get the job done by any means necessary.”

– The Heat again opened with a lineup of Adebayo, Nikola Jovic, Jimmy Butler, Terry Rozier and Patty Mills.

– It was the first time Adebayo was available in the teams’ four matchups this season.

– The Cavaliers also were shorthanded, without Donovan Mitchell and Max Strus, among others.

– Spoelstra said that did not necessarily alleviate any concerns.

– “They have a very good defense,” he said. “You have to be very intentional and do things with pace and motor.”

– Of the game possibly being a playoff preview, Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff said, “There are mind games, and obviously part of the league is when teams feel like they can dominate.”

– He also downplayed the Heat’s absences.

– “They compete at a level every single night that you’re forced to respect,” Bickerstaff said.

–  Caleb Martin and Delon Wright entered as the Heat’s first reserves.

– Haywood Highsmith followed.

–  Martin and Highsmith each converted their first 3-point shot on a night the Heat needed to find shooting.

– Thomas Bryant made it nine deep for the Heat.

– Adebayo entered having converted a 3-pointer in a career high five consecutive appearances.

– He was off on a first-period attempt, his lone attempt of the game.

– “I love that about Bam, that he just continues to work that improvement,” Spoelstra said. “And that’s also a talent in this league, to have a work ethic and a commitment to constantly grow. He’s been able to add things that have been necessary, particularly against the better defenses.”

– Spoelstra added, “Will he be a volume 3-point shooter at this time? That’s not necessarily what we’re looking for. But that’s a good look for him, especially when teams just totally sag off.”

– Rozier, a native of the Cleveland area, entered in his 25 career games having scored at least 20 against the Cavaliers, with two 30-point games and a 42-point game.

– And that was in addition to his theatrics with his winning shots Wednesday in Cleveland.

– The Cavaliers’ Garland entered tied with Grayson Allen and Klay Thompson for the NBA’s most 3-pointers since the All-Star break, with 60.

– Meanwhile, down on the farm, guard Alondes Williams, on a Heat two-way contract, scored 45 points Sunday in the G League.