Cavaliers Edge Heat for Commanding 2-0 Series Lead

In a high-octane duel where momentum swung like a pendulum, Donovan Mitchell led the Cleveland Cavaliers with a dynamic 30-point performance to a 121-112 victory over the Miami Heat on Wednesday night. His late-game heroics secured a 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series.

The Cavaliers started strong, setting an NBA playoff benchmark with an electrifying 11 three-pointers in the second quarter, ending the night with 22 from downtown. Yet, they had to withstand a fierce Miami rally in the second half.

Tyler Herro was relentless for the Heat, scoring 33 points in a night where Miami refused to back down, setting the stage for a pivotal Game 3 at home this Saturday.

Cleveland once enjoyed a 19-point cushion as the third quarter wound down, but the Heat, spurred by Herro and a battling Nikola Jovic, clawed back to within 105-103 with just over three minutes left on the clock.

That's when Mitchell shifted gears, shouldering the offensive load and scoring the next eight points for Cleveland, punctuating a decisive 8-2 run that dashed Miami's comeback hopes.

Evan Mobley added 20 points, while Darius Garland chipped in with 19 for a Cleveland team that continues to impress, while the Heat drew first blood, leading 16-7, the Cavaliers were undeterred, finishing the first quarter ahead 25-24, thanks to a spirited run.

The Cavs tightened their grip in the second with a scoring burst that saw them take commanding control, fueled by precision shooting from Max Strus and Sam Merrill, helping stretch the lead further.

Despite De'Andre Hunter's emphatic dunk with 2:33 remaining in the third quarter, pushing Cleveland's lead to 93-74, Miami ignited a 25-8 blitz, narrowing the gap significantly. Davion Mitchell scored 12 of his 18 points during this surge, but it wasn't enough to overcome Cleveland's resolve.

As both teams prepare for Game 3, the Cavaliers hold the cards, but in the playoffs, no lead is truly safe. Miami will look to ignite their home crowd to turn the series around.