The top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers are set to face the eighth-seeded Miami Heat in Game 2 of their opening-round series this Wednesday as part of the 2025 NBA playoffs. Cleveland secured a dominant victory in Game 1, defeating Miami with a final score of 121-100. Looking back at the regular season matchups, the Cavaliers won two out of three games against the Heat. Cleveland boasted a strong 34-7 record when playing at home this season, while Miami struggled on the road with a 17-23 record.
Tipoff for Game 2 is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET from the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio.
For the Heat, center Bam Adebayo is a key dynamic player in the frontcourt. He was a leader for the team during the regular season, averaging 18.1 points, a team-high 9.6 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game, recording 38 double-doubles. In Game 1, Adebayo posted 24 points, nine rebounds, and two steals.
Guard Tyler Herro provides significant scoring ability and can create his own opportunities. He has been in excellent form, scoring 20 or more points in 14 consecutive games. In Game 1, Herro contributed 21 points and three rebounds, including hitting three of six attempts from three-point range.
On the Cavaliers side, guard Donovan Mitchell remains a top playmaker and scorer. He led the team in scoring during the regular season with 24 points per game and carried that momentum into Game 1 of the playoffs. In the victory against Miami, the six-time All-Star led his team with 30 points and four steals, also adding four assists.
Guard Darius Garland is a skillful ball handler capable of scoring from anywhere on the court. In the recent game, the 25-year-old recorded 27 points and five assists, including five successful three-point shots. This performance continued his hot streak, marking his fourth consecutive game with at least 25 points and five assists.
Game 2 presents a crucial opportunity for both teams as the series continues.
Jasper Hawthorne