The Cleveland Cavaliers are heading to Miami with all the momentum—and a 2-0 series lead—thanks to a clutch performance from their star guard Donovan Mitchell.
Mitchell delivered in the biggest moments Wednesday night, scoring eight straight points late in the fourth quarter to help the Cavaliers fend off a furious Miami Heat comeback and secure a 121-112 win in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series.
After watching a 19-point lead evaporate into a mere two-point edge with just over three minutes left, Cleveland leaned on Mitchell, who calmly responded. First, he attacked the lane for a tough step-back floater to put the Cavaliers up 107-103. Then, following a key steal by Jarrett Allen on a sloppy pass from Miami’s Nikola Jovic, Mitchell drilled a three-pointer to push the lead to seven and put Cleveland back in control.
It was a vintage playoff performance from the five-time All-Star, who poured in 30 points, grabbed six rebounds, and dished out six assists—marking the 27th time he’s scored at least 30 in a postseason game.
“That’s what stars do,” said Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff. “When the game is on the line, Donovan delivers. And he did it again tonight.”
Cleveland caught fire in the second quarter, breaking an NBA playoff record with 11 made three-pointers in the period. They finished the night with 22 makes from deep—tied for sixth-most in postseason history.
Evan Mobley added 20 points, while Darius Garland chipped in 19. Max Strus and Sam Merrill each hit a pair of threes during a decisive 17-4 second-quarter run that gave the Cavs separation.
Despite Cleveland’s offensive explosion, Miami nearly flipped the script.
After trailing 93-74 late in the third quarter, the Heat ignited a 25-8 run behind Davion Mitchell—who scored 12 of his 18 points during the surge—along with five points each from Tyler Herro and Jovic. The Heat pulled within 105-103 with 3:11 remaining, but that’s when Mitchell took over.
Herro led all scorers with 33 points in the loss, but Miami’s early 16-7 lead quickly faded as the Cavaliers’ three-point barrage took over. The Heat now face a must-win situation as the series shifts to Miami for Game 3 on Saturday afternoon.
“We let it get away,” said Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra. “We fought back, showed heart, but Mitchell was the difference in the end.”
With Cleveland up 2-0, the pressure squarely falls on the Heat to hold serve at home—or risk a quick exit from the playoffs.
