The Cleveland Cavaliers have booked their spot in the next round of the NBA Playoffs. They dominated the Miami Heat from start to finish in a 4-0 sweep.
Miami had no answers over four games for the Cavaliers. This series ended in blowout fashion again.
Cleveland Cavaliers’ Fast Start Leaves Miami Stunned
The Cavaliers (5.95) flew out of the blocks with intensity. Jarrett Allen set the tone with a coast-to-coast dunk after a steal. Cleveland’s full-court press caught the Heat cold.
Donovan Mitchell quickly made his presence felt. He sank two three-pointers in quick succession. Miami simply could not respond.
Soon, Cleveland went on a clinical 11-0 run. Their offence looked smooth and sharp. Their defensive pressure was relentless, forcing multiple turnovers.
The Heat ran out of ideas. They struggled to connect passes or get good shots off. The Cavs punished them time and again.
Miami Collapse Continues in the First Half
The few moments of promise Miami had came from a brief stretch when Andrew Wiggins found Pelle Larsson for a layup. But even those flashes were rare. Cleveland continued to suffocate their opponents with suffocating defence and fast-paced offence.
Sloppy play cost Miami dearly. They gave away possession far too often. Their shooting woes compounded the issue.
The Heat looked much more like the team that lost 10 straight in the regular season than the one that clawed into the playoffs through the play-in tournament. Their body language showed defeat. At the end of the first quarter, they trailed by 26 points.
Miami made just seven baskets in the opening quarter. They shot two for 12 from three-point range. Meanwhile, Cleveland looked on track for a record-breaking scoring night.
Second Quarter Brings More Misery for the Heat
Miami’s big names failed to step up. Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, and Wiggins combined for just six points midway through the second quarter. Their lack of impact was glaring.
Wiggins, who had shown improvement late in the regular season, looked lost on the floor. He could not find rhythm at either end. The Heat’s offence remained stagnant.
Evan Mobley dominated inside, making life miserable for Miami’s big men. Cleveland continued to stretch the lead. By halftime, the Cavs led by a massive 39 points.
There was little to show for Miami’s efforts. Fans hoping for highlight plays were left disappointed. It was a brutal end to the first half.
Third Quarter Offers Little Hope
The Heat showed minor signs of life after the break. Nikola Jovic nailed his third three-pointer. Wiggins also finally got on the scoreboard.
But the damage had already been done. The deficit remained over 40 points. Miami seemed to play only for pride.
Cleveland refused to slow down. Their shooters kept finding the net. The Heat’s defensive resolve had completely disappeared.
Though Bam and Wiggins contributed more in the third quarter, it was far too little, too late. Any chance of a comeback was long gone. The arena atmosphere reflected the result: quiet and resigned.
Fourth Quarter Seals the Sweep
The final quarter saw Cleveland ease off. They rested their stars. Still, the Heat couldn’t mount any meaningful response.
Erik Spoelstra threw in the towel. He brought on the reserves. Duncan Robinson and Jaime Jaquez Jr. finally got some minutes.
There were a few brief flashes of energy. But the game was effectively over before the final buzzer. It was a humbling defeat for Miami.
This marked the end of a season full of highs and lows. But it finished with a thud. A clean sweep exit in the first round was not the plan.
Adebayo Hints at Offseason Shake-Up
After the game, Bam Adebayo hinted at major changes ahead. “There’s going to be a lot of changes this summer,” he said via Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. “Just from my point of view, understanding how the guy with the silver hair works. Just be prepared for that.”
It was a clear reference to team president Pat Riley. Adebayo’s comments suggest that a rebuild or retooling may be coming. With veterans ageing and young players failing to deliver, Riley could take drastic steps, ranging from trades to the NBA Draft.
Miami fans may not recognise the team when next season begins. Their front office has never been afraid to make bold moves. The Heat have missed out on the NBA Finals for the second straight season.
What This Means for Cleveland
On the other hand, Cleveland looked every bit a contender. Donovan Mitchell led with poise. Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley anchored a suffocating defence.
The Cavs’ shooting was among the most efficient in the league this postseason. Their depth and intensity overwhelmed Miami. They now have momentum going into the next round.
The Cavaliers’ success has also attracted attention in the online sports betting markets. Punters will keep a close eye on their next series.
Mitchell’s leadership and the team’s unity were major positives. They have silenced critics. A deeper playoff run now seems very possible for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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