Cavaliers Sweep Heat, Advance to Second Round of NBA Playoffs

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cleveland Cavaliers became the first team in the Eastern Conference to advance to the second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs by defeating the Miami Heat 138-83 on Tuesday night. This decisive victory completed a four-game sweep of the Heat.

The Cavaliers dominated the matchup, outscoring Miami by a staggering 55 points. With this win, Cleveland joins the Oklahoma City Thunder as the second team to secure their place in the next round of the playoffs.

Throughout the series, the Cavaliers showcased their offensive strength, with Donovan Mitchell leading the scoring in Game 4 with 22 points. Overall, six players contributed in double digits, emphasizing the team’s depth and versatility.

The Cavaliers established an early lead, holding the Heat to just 17 points in the first quarter and 16 in the second, while pouring in 72 points by halftime. Their 39-point halftime lead is one of the largest in franchise history.

Looking ahead, the Cavaliers will face the winner of the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks series. Currently, the Pacers lead that series 3-1, putting them in a strong position to advance. Indiana also won their Game 5 against Milwaukee after a comeback that stunned the Bucks.

This sweep comes after a series of commanding performances by the Cavaliers, who defeated the Heat by over 20 points in three of their four games, including a 124-87 victory in Game 3. The Cavaliers are focused on maintaining their momentum as they move into the second round.

With key matchups approaching, Tuesday could see additional teams like the Pacers, Knicks, and Celtics seeking to finish off their respective series, with all currently leading 3-1.