From wire-to-wire in the East, it was the Cleveland Cavaliers who carried the day.
Under new coach Kenny Atkinson, the Cavs rolled through their schedule en route to 64 victories, four behind the Oklahoma City Thunder for best in the NBA. In fact, the Cavaliers tied for the second-best all-time start to a regular season, after they won their first 15 games. Led by guards Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, the Cavs have embraced spacing, as forward Evan Mobley has improved his outside game.
The Heat have had something of a tumultuous season, culminating in the February trade that sent Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors, returning Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson and Davion Mitchell (in a subsequent deal) back to Miami. By and large, Miami muddled through the post-Butler days, but the Heat finished the season strong and powered through the Play-In Tournament to clinch its sixth consecutive postseason appearance.
Here’s everything you need to know about the first-round series between the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers:
Miami Heat vs. Cleveland Cavaliers preview
How the Heat will win: Butler isn’t walking through the door. Miami will need near-flawless performances from Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo and role players will need to contribute scoring. But, more than anything, the Heat have to figure out their second-half issues, when they’ve constantly blown leads late. That, of course, assumes that they would even have leads against a very potent Cavaliers outfit. And Miami has to win on the glass, where Cleveland can yield some second-chance opportunities.
How the Cavaliers will win: As long as Cleveland plays its efficient, well-spaced offense and protects the ball, it should have no problem moving onto the next round. But Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is a tactician, and he will certainly try to mix things up — either with zone looks or mismatches — so the Cavs should also plan to adapt their game plan, when necessary.
Miami Heat vs. Cleveland Cavaliers stat
- The Cavaliers posted the NBA’s best offensive rating this season, scoring 121.0 points per 100 possessions. That ranks second in NBA history only to last year’s Boston Celtics team (122.2), which went on to win the NBA championship.
Miami Heat vs. Cleveland Cavaliers players to watch
- Andrew Wiggins, Heat: The Cavaliers will game plan for Herro. Adebayo will get his touches in the paint. But for Miami to win, it will need Wiggins to be assertive and seek his shots, especially when Cleveland tries to force the ball out of Herro’s hands.
- De’Andre Hunter, Cavaliers: Cleveland’s primary threat off the bench, Hunter has been a seamless fit since the team traded for him in February. Hunter immediately brought more size and versatility at the wing, and particularly in Cleveland’s second rotation; he’s averaging 14.3 points per game in 27 games with the Cavs.
Miami Heat vs. Cleveland Cavaliers predictions
- Lorenzo Reyes: Cavaliers in 6
- Heather Tucker: Cavaliers in 5
- James Williams: Cavaliers in 4
- Jeff Zillgitt: Cavaliers in 5
Miami Heat vs. Cleveland Cavaliers schedule
- Game 1: Heat at Cavaliers | Sunday, April 20, 7 p.m. | TNT
- Game 2: Heat at Cavaliers | Wednesday, April 23, 7:30 p.m. | NBA TV
- Game 3: Cavaliers at Heat | Saturday, April 26, TBD | TNT
- Game 4: Cavaliers at Heat | Monday, April 28, TBD | TBD
- Game 5: Heat at Cavaliers | Wednesday, April 30, TBD | TBD *
- Game 6: Cavaliers at Heat | Friday, May 2, TBD | TBD *
- Game 7: Heat at Cavaliers | Sunday, May 4, TBD | TBD *
All times Eastern. *-if necessary
Miami Heat vs. Cleveland Cavaliers season series
The Cavaliers won the season series, taking two out of three games.
- Dec. 8: Heat 122, Cavaliers 113
- Jan. 29: Cavaliers 126, Heat 106
- March 5: Cavaliers 112, Heat 107
