Wiggins’ Clutch Alley-Oop Lifts Heat Over Cavaliers
The Miami Heat have continued their strong start to the 2025-26 season, and Monday night’s thrilling contest against the Cleveland Cavaliers showcased exactly why. The game was ultimately decided by a spectacular alley-oop from Andrew Wiggins, giving Miami a 140-138 victory in a matchup that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Miami’s season has been characterized by a new, energetic offensive approach, and this game was no exception. The Heat currently boast seven players averaging double-digit points, making it difficult for opponents to predict who will take over at any given moment. With two key All-Stars, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, sidelined due to injuries, the team has had to rely on creative scoring, and Wiggins has stepped up as a primary option. On the season, he is averaging 17.3 points per game, shooting nearly 52 percent overall, including 40 percent from beyond the arc, contributing significantly to Miami’s 11th-ranked offense.
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The game itself was tightly contested throughout. In the final moments of regulation, third-year forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. delivered a clutch floater with just 7.1 seconds remaining to force overtime. Jaquez has emerged as one of Miami’s most reliable scorers and a developing playmaker, displaying impressive efficiency with over 57 percent shooting from the field, even if his three-point percentage remains modest at 22 percent. His dominance in the restricted area, shooting nearly 80 percent there, has become a critical component of Miami’s scoring strategy.
Miami’s pace this season has also been notable, leading the league with over 106 possessions per 48 minutes. This uptempo style allows for dynamic scoring opportunities and keeps defenses constantly on their heels. Wiggins’ game-winning alley-oop perfectly exemplified how Miami’s creative and fast-moving offense can produce high-impact plays under pressure.
With Monday’s victory, the Heat improve to 7-4, marking their best 11-game start since the 2019-20 season, which eventually saw them reach the NBA Finals. While questions remain about how long they can sustain this early-season success without their top scorers, this win demonstrates that Miami is capable of winning high-scoring, close contests while showcasing a versatile and unpredictable offense.
In short, the Heat’s combination of emerging stars, inventive scoring, and relentless pace has been firmly established, and with performances like Wiggins’ clutch finish, the team is sending a clear message: they are a serious contender in the Eastern Conference this season.
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