(1) Cavaliers vs. (8) Heat First Round Playoff Series Thread

[Im Still Ballin]

(1) Cleveland vs. (8) Miami

• Game 1: Cavaliers 121, Heat 100
• Game 2: Cavaliers 121, Heat 112
• Game 3: Cavaliers 124, Heat 87
• Game 4: Cavaliers 138, Heat 83

Cavaliers win series 4-0

[L.Kizzle]

Top team in the East gets thrown on NBA TV. Where is the reward.

[MrFonzworth]

Cabs sweep

[Im Still Ballin]

Cavs in 5. Just too much offensive firepower. Spo steals a game to make it a Gentleman's Sweep.

[Meticode]

Top team in the East gets thrown on NBA TV. Where is the reward.

Just another reason why I use Stream East.

[Real Men Wear Green]

Top team in the East gets thrown on NBA TV. Where is the reward.
Pretty sure it's dictated by popularity. I could see Mitchell being a major star with a big run but for the main part they don't have popular players and their opponent doesn't have anyone close to superstar status. Only way this series gets a lot of attention is if Cleveland struggles.

[Nowoco]

Gentleman's sweep. Cavs in 5.

[Hey Yo]

Top team in the East gets thrown on NBA TV. Where is the reward.

The league certainly not going to put Boston on nbatv over the Cavs.

[warriorfan]

https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3452250 5-e0f9-4660-8d90-4d2d788572b9_1830x1490.png

[Nowoco]

I see everyone's really into this game :oldlol:

[warriorfan]

I see everyone's really into this game :oldlol:

:lol

got lulled to sleep.

We have had 3 decent quarters in the last 2 games. Boston game was close than I thought for awhile.

We just need the ****ing warriors game to start

[Neal Romer]

Top team in the East gets thrown on NBA TV. Where is the reward.


Nuggets-Clippers have an NBATV game this week too.

A combined 5 MVP and 3 FMVP awards on the floor, and they get bumped.

[Street Hunger]

Heat shooting 13 of 26 from the field and 6 of 10 on threes yet down nine.

[warriorfan]

Nuggets-Clippers have an NBATV game this week too.

A combined 5 MVP and 3 FMVP awards on the floor, and they get bumped.

That is one of the best series too. With Warriors and Lakers too.

[RRR3]

If Butler was still here this would be an elite series. Man...if only Pat Riley actually did his job

[Proctor]

Top team in the East gets thrown on NBA TV. Where is the reward.
I laughed my ass off when I saw Bucks/Pacers next game will be on ESPNU.

Not even ESPN2. :roll:

[Meticode]

One thing I've noticed about the Cavs is they play too fast for their own good sometimes. Bobbled passes, sloppy dribbles, looking away from the ball before it's not in your hands for careless turnovers.

[Street Hunger]

Halftime: Cavaliers 62, Heat 54.

Spida Mitchell 15 PTS, 2 STL

Darius Garland 12 PTS, 4 AST, 2 3FG

Tyler Herro 17 points for Heat on 5-of-12 shooting from the field, 3-of-6 shooting on threes and 4-of-4 shooting from the foul line.

[marLeY baLL]

no TV :facepalm

[Meticode]

no TV :facepalm

Huh?

[Meticode]

I love that Mitchell has embraced being the leader since he came to the team. He is intense tonight.

[RRR3]

Spo needs to go bigger.

[Meticode]

Spo needs to go bigger.

Jovic?

[Meticode]

Hunter struggling. So far this is his worse game of the season.

[90sgoat]

Cavs are not impressive.

Gen-Z team.

[RRR3]

Jovic?
Yes but Spo hates him.

[Street Hunger]

End third quarter: Cavaliers 87, Heat 79.

Heat are outscoring the Cavaliers 36-33 on threes but being outscored 44-30 in the paint.

[RRR3]

End third quarter: Cavaliers 87, Heat 79.

Heat are outscoring the Cavaliers 36-33 on threes but being outscored 44-30 in the paint.
Is this Jeff's alt

[Hey Yo]

Hunter struggling. So far this is his worse game of the season.

Outside of the goal tend, haven't heard his name

[Meticode]

Maybe it's just me, but Ty Jerome has to be the best at hitting those floaters/push-shots in the paint while he has a player on this hips
It's his go-to move and he usually hits two or three of those in a game.

[90sgoat]

Good game from Cavs, they're a deceptively good team.

[Meticode]

Good game from Cavs, they're a deceptively good team.

Da fuq...


Cavs are not impressive.

Gen-Z team.

[RRR3]

Da fuq...
He's an idiot.

[90sgoat]

He's an idiot.

Both are true, they're a boring Gen-Z team, but also deep.

[Meticode]

Cavs handling business so far. 68-51 halftime.

[Meticode]

Cavs hit 11 threes in the second quarter. Which is the most in any quarter in postseason play by play history.

[RRR3]

Too many 3s.

[Meticode]

Too many 3s.

Story of the NBA this year.

[RRR3]

Heat somehow in it

[Meticode]

Cavs blow a 21 point lead. 6 and change left in the 4tg and the Heat are down by 6.

[Axe]

The cavs need to make some rework on their defense. It's not looking good for the last 1/4 of the season until now.

[Meticode]

Cavs escaped honestly. Heat were only down by 2 with 4:30 left. Cavs responded, but it took blowing a 21 point lead to respond.

[RRR3]

Just too much of a talent disparity sadly.

[Meticode]

Hmmm...

[Meticode]

Mobley winning DPOY means he'll get a salary increase and this increase will put the Cavaliers over the second apron for salary cap apparently.

Winning DPOY increased his total contract by $45 million.

This year Mobley will make $2.6 million. Next season Mobley will make $46.4 million. He will make $61.2 million in his last year of his contract (2030).

[Street Hunger]

Darius Garland (toe) OUT for Cleveland in Game 3.

Cavaliers starting lineup: Donovan Mitchell, Sam Merrill, Max Strus, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen.

Heat again starting Mitchell, Herro, Wiggins, Ware and Adebayo.

[Meticode]

This seems to be a reoccurring or nagging injury because Garland was dealing with this toe sprsin in early April.

Interesting that they're starting Merrill. Usually they've been putting Okoro in and sliding Struss to the two, or starting Hunter. They must really want Hunter and Jerome to come off the bench together.

[Street Hunger]

Early 18-0 run for the Cavs.

Heat with six turnovers already

[Street Hunger]

Cavs dominating the paint

[Meticode]

End of 1st quarter

Mobley and Mitchell start the game a combined 0/7. The bench gets checked in with the Cavs down 4-12. Cavs close the quarter scoring 29 points in the last 6:30. Cavs up 33-20.

[Meticode]

Jarrett Allen having his way at the rim. 7/7 from the field.

[Street Hunger]

Jarrett Allen seems to add something new to his game every year even if it's not totally obvious

[tpols]

I threw 100 on Miami when they were up like 15-6 and looking smooth sailing vs Cleveland without Garland @ home and immediately... the Cavs went on an 18-0 run. :lol

Thank you. Never hit a twist that hard out of nowhere. Miami can barely even dribble the ball now. Thought they'd have heart at home with a power play but holy shit.

[Meticode]

Cavs 62-42

Heat come home and treat their fans to their worst half of basketball they've played in the playoffs

The arena is quiet minus the groans. The Heat have to come out better in the second half with a better game plan offensively.

This is the best the Cavs have looked playing "team basketball" and moving the ball in April.

[Meticode]

:oldlol:

Rose: Did you lead the league in scoring and win a championship the same year?

Shaq: I don't know.

Rose: Yes you do.

[Meticode]

Jerome abusing Herro and Mitchell off the dribble. Cavs up 77-54.

[Meticode]

End of 3rd quarter.

Cavs up 88-64. Despite Mitchell going 4-14, Merrill started and has played 19 minutes and given 0 points and Garland didn't play in the game. Six Cavs are in double digits. Jerome is +31 off the bench. Hunter is +29. Bam is -25.

[Meticode]

It would be nice to see the Cavs finish the game strong like OKC did against Memphis in Game 2. Instead of letting Miami get back within 10 and make it a little interesting.

[Meticode]

Pretty sure the Cavs are going to go to LIV at the Fontainebleau in Miami tonight to party it up. It would be nice if they waited until they swept them, but I don't think that place is poppin' as much on a Monday night vs Saturday night.

[Meticode]

Mitchell has to be one of the most inconsistent 80%+ three throw shooters I've seen. Every other trip to the line he's missing one of two.

Happened all the time throughout the season. Then'll he'll have a game where he's 9/9. Then the next game he's 3/7.

[Meticode]

I think Spo is throwing in the towel. Down 31 with 5:25 left.

[Meticode]

Cavs bench comes in with a 31 point lead and Okoro makes it a 40 point lead...

[Nowoco]

This series :sleeping

[Meticode]

Worse loss in Miami Heat playoff history. 37 points.

[RRR3]

This is why I wanted them to miss the playoffs. At least get a chance at an elite draft pick what's the point of getting embarrassed in the first round and getting a mid ass pick? Perpetual treadmill team logic

[Meticode]

This is why I wanted them to miss the playoffs. At least get a chance at an elite draft pick what's the point of getting embarrassed in the first round and getting a mid ass pick? Perpetual treadmill team logic

Someone has to make it. Someone has to miss a draft pick.

Edit: Miami doesn't have their own draft pick this season. The only one they have is via Golden State.

https://fanspo.com/nba/teams/Heat/16/draft-picks

Doesn't matter anyway. They're going to get Durant.

[RRR3]

Someone has to make it. Someone has to miss a draft pick.

Edit: Miami doesn't have their own draft pick this season. The only one they have is via Golden State.

https://fanspo.com/nba/teams/Heat/16/draft-picks

Doesn't matter anyway. They're going to get Durant.
Durant doesn't solve anything, he's 37.

[Meticode]

Durant doesn't solve anything, he's 37.

It puts them in contention in the East which is wide open 3-8.

It doesn't matter if he's 37 at this moment. He's still and elite wing scorer and has the best hesi-pullup middie. He can still play another two or three seasons like this. Miami severely lacks players who can create their own shot consistently.

In any case the Heat were on Durant's list of where he wants to go and Miami has the second best packages they can give the Suns in terms of draft picks and young talent. The team ahead of them as far as packages Durant was interested in? San Antonio. I think Durant would prefer to be in Miami than San An-****in-tonio. Who knows though? Just an assumption on my part. We'll see what happens.

[Real Men Wear Green]

Durant is good enough to make Miami a solid playoff team but at 37 he wouldn't be a long-term building block and I don't see them as overwhelming opponents either offensively or defensively. A smart point guard would still be needed and again, 37 year-old superstar is a band-aid solution. Also he will miss games just like Butler did, maybe less by choice but still not going to play 70. Might as well have kept Butler if they do that.

[Meticode]

Durant is good enough to make Miami a solid playoff team but at 37 he wouldn't be a long-term building block and I don't see them as overwhelming opponents either offensively or defensively. A smart point guard would still be needed and again, 37 year-old superstar is a band-aid solution. Also he will miss games just like Butler did, maybe less by choice but still not going to play 70. Might as well have kept Butler if they do that.

Anything is possible. Especially with other moves after Durant if they were to get him.

[RRR3]

Durant is good enough to make Miami a solid playoff team but at 37 he wouldn't be a long-term building block and I don't see them as overwhelming opponents either offensively or defensively. A smart point guard would still be needed and again, 37 year-old superstar is a band-aid solution. Also he will miss games just like Butler did, maybe less by choice but still not going to play 70. Might as well have kept Butler if they do that.
Yes, exactly.

[Real Men Wear Green]

Anything is possible. Especially with other moves after Durant if they were to get him.If they're not going to rebuild then they may as well get him but if the goal is a championship then they should start rebuilding now instead of going for a few years of 4th-6th seed. I would have agreed a year ago but this season even when healthy Durant was not MVP caliber.

[Axe]

Looks like cleveland's about to close this in the next game. The second round will be more intense.

[coin24]

Knew this would be a sweep.. unwatchable garage.

Would have rather watched the hawks

[tpols]

Knew this would be a sweep.. unwatchable garage.

Would have rather watched the hawks


It's kind of crazy because Miami came out super intense and on point vs Hawks and in the play in. And they started today's game well up almost doubled digits in the 1st quarter. And then they just... ****ing gave up. Literally couldn't even dribble the ball and totally out of sync. It was bizarre. Felt like in Space Jam when all the all stars got their talents sucked out by aliens.

[Meticode]

Game 4, 7:30 EST, TNT

Hopefully the Cavs can close the game out for a sweep tonight because they'll get an extra today of rest before they'd have to face the Pacers if the Pacers close out the Bucks on Tuesday.. Usually the elimination game is the hardest the say.

Garland is listed as questionable and he was limited during Sunday's practice.

The fact his toe is still bothering him is worrisome. Mostly because it was bothering him in early April, and the Cavs had over a week off at the end of the season and he didn't play for over a week and it's still an issue.

[Meticode]

Garland out again.

[Meticode]

Cavs are screwed. Barkley guaranteed they'd make it to the Finals.

[Hey Yo]

Garland out again.

Should still be able to sweep and get some rest

[Meticode]

Ummm, hello? Miami are you there?

28-8 with 3:37 left.

[Meticode]

2:41 left, Heat still at 8 points...

[Meticode]

Miami didn't score their 10th point until 1:45 left on the quarter.

[Meticode]

43-17 Cavs after 1st quarter

[Meticode]

I had the game on mute for the first quarter...


...I unmuted it and couldn't tell a difference with the crowd...

[Meticode]

Miami makes a run and cuts the lead to 49 in the first half.

[Axe]

No way the cavs are losing this game, right? The main guys don't have to stay for so long anymore in the second half.

[Mask the Embiid]

Just a reminder that the cavs are frauds. Even if they somehow manage to beat the pacers. They will get massacred by the Celtics or Knicks.


Just wanted to remind everyone. Dont let the Heat series vs a Jimmyless heat trick you.

[Meticode]

I'm having a meltdown.

:oldlol:

[Real Men Wear Green]

I was wondering when someone would mention Butler...as of he matters. 8th seed is supposed to take a beating.

[Meticode]

Heat packed it in after they turned the ball over three straight times to start the game. They were ready to end the season. If the Pacers win tomorrow it'll be Pacers @ Cavs either Saturday or Sunday.

[Axe]

Heat packed it in after they turned the ball over three straight times to start the game. They were ready to end the season.
The sweep gave cleveland the opportunity to rest more. Well, apparently.

[SouBeachTalents]

The Cavs must've broken the record for biggest MOV in a series right? They won these games by an average of 30 ppg.

[Meticode]

The Cavs must've broken the record for biggest MOV in a series right? They won these games by an average of 30 ppg.

3rd largest in playoff history...

1T. 58 points with Nuggets over the Hornets (2009)
1T. 58 points with Lakers over Hawks (1956)
2. 56 points with Lakers over Warriors (1973)

...there was a couple times the Cavs had it up to 60.

[SouBeachTalents]

4th largest in playoff history...

1. 58 points with Nuggets over the Hornets (2009)
2. 58 points with Lakers over Hawks (1956)
3. 56 points with Lakers over Warriors (1973)

...there was a couple times the Cavs had it up to 60.
I meant for a total series, I knew the Hornets had the record.

[Meticode]

I meant for a total series, I knew the Hornets had the record.

Not sure. Thunder are at 19.5 after their sweep. Cavs are at 30.5.

[RRR3]

Can't believe Riley wasted a potential great draft for this

[Meticode]

Fun Facts

- The Cavaliers pulled off their 11th sweep in franchise history, but the first without LeBron James on the roster.

- 1st - Cleveland's 55-point win is the largest margin of victory in any postseason series-clinching game in league history.

- This year's Heat are the first NBA team to lose back-to-back playoff games by at least 30 points in the same season, per stats specialist Keerthika Uthayakumar. Both big losses came in front of their fans in South Beach.

- No other team has ever hit more threes in a four-game playoff series than this year's Cavaliers. The only club to match that number across four contests was the 2016 Cavs - the same squad that went on to win the franchise's only championship.

- Cleveland's point differential over the four-game series is the largest in playoff history, according to The Associated Press' Tim Reynolds.

[Meticode]

Can't believe Riley wasted a potential great draft for this
Fun fact.. The Heat are one of six teams that have never picked #1.

[Manny98]

Sweep :roll::roll:

Hear back to mediocrity for the next 15 years