Cavaliers' Strus Explodes for 29 Points in Win Over Heat

Guard drains 8 three-pointers in dominant performance off the bench

Mar. 28, 2026 at 2:18am

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Cavaliers guard Max Strus had a career night, scoring 29 points with 8 made three-pointers in just 23 minutes off the bench to lead his team to a 149-128 victory over the Miami Heat. Strus caught fire early, scoring 22 of his points in the first half to help the Cavaliers build a commanding lead.

Why it matters

Strus' performance highlights his value as a scoring threat off the bench for the Cavaliers, especially on nights when star players like Donovan Mitchell or James Harden struggle. His ability to get hot from three-point range can provide a major boost to the Cavaliers' offense.

The details

Strus shot an impressive 10-of-14 from the field, including 8-of-11 from three-point range. His 8 made three-pointers were just one shy of his career high, which he set against the Heat in January 2022. Strus' scoring outburst helped the Cavaliers build a big lead early on that they would not relinquish.

  • The game took place on Friday, March 28, 2026.

The players

Max Strus

A guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers who had a career night, scoring 29 points with 8 made three-pointers in the team's win over the Miami Heat.

Donovan Mitchell

A star player for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

James Harden

A star player for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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What they’re saying

“Friday's contest demonstrated Strus' value to the team, especially in games where either one or both of Donovan Mitchell and James Harden struggle from the field.”

— RotoWire Staff, Fantasy Basketball Analyst

The takeaway

Strus' explosive performance off the bench shows the Cavaliers have multiple scoring threats that can step up on any given night, making them a dangerous team to face in the playoffs.