Cleveland turned in the type of performance on Tuesday that Miami has come to expect from its opponents. The Cavaliers somehow kept up with the Heat for three-quarters, overcoming shaky outside shooting and a depleted roster to stay within six points.

But through a lethal combination of Cleveland’s fourth-quarter weariness and Miami’s Big 5, the Heat finally disposed of the Cavaliers in a 107-91 victory.

“We understand that no game is over until it is over,” Dwyane Wade said. “We know teams are going to fight against us because they have a lot of pride. We did a good job of really locking in defensively and turning up the engine”

Despite missing three role players (Daniel Gibson, Anthony Parker and Tristan Thompson), Cleveland set out to match Miami’s quickness from the opening tip. After running and gunning for 36 minutes, the Cavaliers grew tired, only connecting on two shots from the field in the first seven minutes of the fourth quarter.

When Cleveland did go on a mini-run — cutting a 14 point lead to 10 midway through the fourth quarter — coach Erik Spoelstra had had enough. That’s when Spoelstra inserted the “closer lineup”— Wade, LeBron James, Mike Miller, Udonis Haslem and Chris Bosh — and it did its job.

The “Big 5” outscored Cleveland 15-9 over the final five minutes.

“It’s a great lineup for us,” James said. “It’s not something we want to go to throughout the whole game, but in the fourth quarter when it’s time to close out the game, it’s a lineup that really gives us some unique things, especially defensively.”

The Cavaliers matched the Heat blow-for-blow for three quarters. Miami had stretches where it pulled away, like when it reeled off a 9-3 run to start the second quarter, but the Heat couldn’t score the knockout punch.

Cleveland guard Kyrie Irving killed any Miami momentum in the second quarter after pulling down a defensive rebound and running coast to coast for a layup. The rookie led a quick Cavaliers attack, and Cleveland pushed the ball into the paint all night.

Antawn Jamison and Anderson Varejao were the beneficiaries of the Cavaliers’ early aggressiveness. Jamison recorded 20 of his 25 points in the first half, while Varejao dominated Joel Anthony for eight first-half rebounds. At halftime, Cleveland had outrebounded Miami 24-21.

“Our first line of defense was satisfactory for the most part in terms of activity and recognition,” Spoelstra said. “But their second-chance opportunities really gave them some life.”

Miami’s six-point halftime lead quickly dwindled after the Heat turned the ball over three times in the first three minutes of the second half.

With the score tied at 67 late in the quarter, Mario Chalmers gave the Heat the lead with a three-pointer from the right wing as he was falling down. Chalmers went 4 of 9 from beyond long range, the fifth consecutive game that he has knocked down at least three shots from behind the arc.

“That’s [Chalmers] putting in the time,” Spoelstra said. “Every single day after practice he’s usually the last one to leave. … It’s good to see that work and sweat finally start to pay off.”

After Cleveland settled for — and missed — a pair of perimeter shots, Haslem pulled down a board and found James ahead of the pack for a slam dunk. James had a typically efficient night playing against his old team, recording 24 points, six assists and five rebounds.

Cleveland could not respond to Miami’s third-quarter surge. Irving, who was knocked to the ground twice in the final period, was worn down. He went 1 of 5 from the field in the fourth quarter.

The Heat added a surprising offensive option, as Haslem went off for 10 points in the fourth quarter.

“Offensively he is now starting to feel comfortable, he is getting his rhythm after a few weeks at this,” Spoelstra said. “He is knocking down his open shot and guys are finding him.”

The Heat has little time to rest, as Miami travels north to Orlando for a game against the Magic on Wednesday. This weekend, Miami has its first back-to-back-to-back stretch of the season.

“We’re looking at this road trip as an opportunity for us to come together as a team,” Spoelstra said. “It’s an opportunity for us to have a breakthrough as a ball club.”