The Cleveland Cavaliers opened their 2025 playoff run with a commanding 121–100 win over the Miami Heat in Game 1 of the first round. In front of a raucous home crowd at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland delivered a balanced and confident performance, responding to every surge the Heat threw their way and setting the tone early in the series.
The stars of the night were undoubtedly the Cavaliers’ dynamic three-headed backcourt of Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, and Ty Jerome. Garland looked the most comfortable we have ever seen him in the post-season, calmly orchestrating the offense with poise and delivering a much-needed 27 points, including five three-pointers. Mitchell brought his trademark explosiveness, slicing through Miami’s defense in both transition and half-court sets to notch another 30-point playoff outing. While he didn’t start the night shooting particularly well—finishing just 2-of-9 from deep—his threes were timely and crucial late down the stretch.
But perhaps the most surprising and important performance came from Ty Jerome, who caught fire in the fourth quarter. Jerome poured in 16 of his 28 points in the final frame, including three triples, ultimately spearheading the run that put Miami away for good. Together, the trio combined for 85 points, keeping the Heat off balance all night.
While the guards lit up the scoreboard, Jarrett Allen quietly anchored the interior. His dominance on the offensive glass was a game-changer, as he hauled in six offensive rebounds that led to 17 second-chance points for the Cavs. Allen’s relentless energy and physicality in the paint helped Cleveland maintain control throughout the night. His defensive presence was just as impactful, highlighted by a thunderous chasedown block on Bam Adebayo to close the second quarter, as he repeatedly stepped up during Miami’s attempted runs.
Still, not everything was perfect.
For the Cavaliers to make a legitimate run toward the NBA Finals, they’ll need more consistent production from Evan Mobley and De’Andre Hunter. Mobley, typically lauded for his versatility and defensive presence, looked tentative on the offensive end and struggled to find rhythm, finishing with nine points and seven rebounds. Hunter, acquired mid-season to provide perimeter defense and floor spacing, never found his footing and went 0-for-4 from the field. Both players are capable of much more and Cleveland will need them to rise to the occasion as the playoffs progress. If past performances are any indication, both should bounce back.
Despite those areas for improvement, this was an encouraging Game 1 showing. The Cavaliers responded to every mini-run Miami attempted, never allowing the game to slip into dangerous territory. Outside of a brief first-quarter lead for the Heat, Cleveland controlled the game from start to finish. It was a poised, professional effort against a very well-coached Miami squad that should not be underestimated in the postseason.
Game 2 is set for Wednesday night on NBATV and Cleveland will need to be even sharper. The Heat are unlikely to come out flat in back-to-back games—they’ll be rested, more physical and better prepared. The Cavaliers must match that intensity and continue leaning into the identity they’ve built all season: tough defense, elite guard play, and a commitment to doing the little things right.
It was a great start to the series, but the work is far from over.
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