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Cleveland finished the Heat on Monday night, winning over a landslide 138-83 win in Miami’s Game 4. The edge of victory is the fourth largest in NBA playoff history.
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The victory marked the end of the Cavaliers' main series, which set the tone with 21 points in Game 1 and never let go.
The Cavaliers entered the second round of the playoffs, and in the Eastern Conference semifinals they faced a winner between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Indiana Pacers. The people they faced in that series and beyond were all attracted attention: It wasn't an afterthought to the Boston Celtics or anyone else from the Eastern Conference to the NBA Finals.
But those who have attracted attention already know this. The Cavaliers entered the playoffs with historic offense, released the NBA's Best Offensive Rating (121) in the regular season and the second best in the league since officially tracking that stat in 1996-97.
It pairs firepower with the defensive pairing of the defense that has the NBA's defensive player of the year in Evan Mobley, who ranked eighth in the regular season with a defensive rating. This is the offensive religion and defensive force. It's a lesson, Monday night, the hot continues to learn the tough way.
The Cavaliers have not released gasoline since defeating the calories for 21 points in Game 1.
(Megan Briggs by Getty Image)Cavaliers' early output knockout match
The Cavaliers shot the goal 12-3, which reduced Miami's timeout three minutes away from the game. They put this ahead of the mid-Q1 20-8 expansion. They then played a 15-0 game 35-8, with 2:08 left in the quarter.
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By then, the hot fans sitting in the Miami stands must have no idea why they were paying for it.
Miami did not improve in the second quarter. Cleveland extended the first half lead to a staggering 45 points 70-25, and then stabilized with a 72-33 halftime advantage.
The 39-point lead is the third largest lead in NBA playoff history. Just behind the Cavaliers in 2017 (41 points against the Boston Celtics) and the Detroit Pistons in 1987 (40 points against the Washington Bullet).
No heat cultivation or pride was shown after the intermission. Cleveland started with a 24-15 run, doubling the mid-mid-middle quarter 96-48. Soon after, each team began to clear the bench.
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Cleveland extended its lead to 59 points at the end of the fourth quarter.
Jarrett Allen is a force
Jarrett Allen is often covered up by his All-Star teammates Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and Mobley. But it was Allen who led the team with a 48-minute victory this season. In fact, Allen often finishes third in the league in statistics and MVP predictions, behind MVP finalists Shai-Gilgeous Alexander and Nikola Jokić.
He set the tone Monday night. Allen stole the game in Miami’s first possession, and he turned into a dunk at the other end. Miami's second possession ended with another Allen's steal.
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By the break, Allen had double-double and had a triple-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds and six steals. He rarely played in the second half and did not have a triple-double. But he will certainly be satisfied with 14 points, 12 hits, six-moment efforts, a victory over dominating the Cavaliers' playoffs.
The Knight did this without Darius Garland
Garland entered his sprained big toe on Monday and was already at the bottom of the game in Game 3. The Cavaliers chose a long-term priority and sat in Garland in a close game.
The decision paid off. Cleveland has no point guard without an All-Star missed any rhythm, who won extra games in the second round. With four games, Garland and Cavs will now have some extended breaks until their second round series against the pacemaker or the Bucks begins.
The Pacers led a Bucks with a 3-1 series and just lost All-Star guard Damian Lillard and lost Achilles to be injured.