The Cleveland Cavaliers completed a first-round sweep of the Heat on Monday night, obliterating Miami with a 55-point win. And while Cleveland’s performance may only count as one win, it demonstrated the full potential of the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed.
Cleveland won the game 138-83 thanks to a total team effort. Donovan Mitchell may have led the way with 22 points, but six different Cavaliers reached double-digits in scoring, something that’s been a theme for Cleveland all year. In addition to Mitchell, Jarrett Allen also stood out with a double-double, adding 12 rebounds to his 14 points.
Most expected the Cavaliers to make quick work of Miami, but Cleveland set numerous NBA and franchise records in the process.
Cleveland’s 55-point beatdown of Miami now stands as the fourth-largest margin of victory in a single playoff game in NBA history. Even more impressive, the Cavaliers outscored the Heat by 122 points throughout their four-game sweep – the new largest point differential for any series in league history.