Cavaliers Extinguish Heat, Warriors Push Rockets to Brink

The Cleveland Cavaliers dominated the Miami Heat on Monday night to complete their sweep of the Eastern Conference No. 8 seed, and the Golden State Warriors prevailed in a tight contest to take a 3-1 series lead over the Houston Rockets. 

In their 138-83 decimation of the Heat, the Cavaliers led 72-33 - the third largest lead at halftime in NBA playoff history. Their 55-point margin of victory was the fourth-highest in history. 

The Cavaliers shot a blistering 54.7% from the field and 46.8% from 3-point range (22-of-47). They outrebounded the Heat 51-45 and turned the ball over 11 times to the Heat’s 19. In contrast, the Heat shot 36.0% and made 20.4% of their triples (10-for-49). The Heat only got to the line 15 times, making nine. The Cavaliers were 22-for-25 from the stripe. 

Donovan Mitchell’s 22 points in 25 minutes (8-for-15, 4-for-8 from 3-point range) led the Cavaliers, with De’Andre Hunter putting up 19 points (6-for-11, 3-for-4) in 21 minutes off the bench. Ty Jerome off the bench also played 21 minutes and scored 18 points on 5-for-8 (3-of-5 from deep). Evan Mobley, in 23 minutes, was 6-for-9 for 17 points and 7 rebounds, and Jarrett Allen was 5-for-5 for 14 points and 12 rebounds. 

Nikola Jovic, the Heat’s talented 21-year-old forward, played 29 minutes off the bench and was the team’s lone bright spot, with 24 points and 5 rebounds on 8-for-15 (4-for-9 from 3-point range). Pelle Larsson off the bench scored 12 points on 5-for-8. 

Leading the Heat starters was Bam Adebayo, who was 6-for-13 for 13 points and 12 rebounds in 32 minutes. Andrew Wiggins shot just 5-for-12 for 12 points, and Tyler Herro in 31 minutes shot an abysmal 1-for-10 (1-of-9 from downtown) for 4 points. Davion Mitchell was 3-for-9 for 8 points and 5 assists in 35 minutes. Ke’el Ware, another future bright spot, played 15 minutes and was 1-for-6 but did grab 7 rebounds. 

The Cavaliers along with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the top seeds in each conference, both made statements in the first round. 

In the late game Monday, Draymond Green’s stout defense on Alperen Sengun on the Rockets’ final possession with the Warriors leading 107-106 preserved their victory. 

Sengun had been giving the Warriors problems all night long (31 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists) and in 42 minutes shot 12-for-28. Green, with five fouls, on the final defensive possession did not allow the star forward to get in his sweet spot deep in the paint, and Sengun had to shoot a jump hook without much lift. Jimmy Butler hit two free-throws at the other end and Fred VanVleet’s long distance attempt as the buzzer sounded came up short. 

Otherwise, VanVleet played a terrific game - 25 points, 6 assists, 8-for-12 from deep - with clutch shots down the stretch. He and Sengun carried the offensive load while Amen Thompson did a solid job defensively and a great job getting into the paint for scores late. Thompson finished with 17 points and 9 rebounds on 7-for-12 shooting. Dillon Brooks was 4-for-7 for 11 points. 

Jimmy Butler’s 27 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds (7-for-12 shooting, 12-for-12 from the line) led the Warriors, while Brandon Podziemski scored 26 with 5 rebounds and 5 assists on 9-for-18 (6-for-11 from downtown). Stephen Curry made 2-for-8 triples for 17 points, and Buddy Hield was 3-for-9 but hit a clutch triple late and finished with 15 points. Quinten Post off the bench was 4-for-11 for 13 points. 

The Rockets outshot the Warriors 49.4% to 41.9% but the Warriors made 17 triples to the Rockets’ 11. The Rockets also secured 41 rebounds, less than their usual output which is over 50. The Warriors grabbed 34. The Warriors committed eight turnovers to the Rockets’ 13. 

The Rockets did manage 13 offensive rebounds, with Steven Adams providing an interior presence with 7 rebounds (five offensive) and 4 blocks. However, the Rockets had a difficult time finding guard scoring other than VanVleet. 

Jalen Green was 3-for-8 shooting in 25 minutes and did not play in the final minutes, Rocket coach Ime Udoka opting to go with a defensive lineup. Other than his 38 points in the Rockets’ Game 2 win, Green has failed to crack double-digits, shooting a combined 10-for-34 in Games 1, 3, and 4. 

If they are to keep their season alive, the Rockets will need a Game 2-type of performance from Green on Wednesday.