Cleveland beat Miami 124-87 on 26 April 2025 to take a 3-0 lead, while Orlando’s defence cut Boston’s first-round advantage to 2-1.
The Cavaliers handed the Heat the heaviest playoff defeat in franchise history and moved within one win of the Eastern Conference semi-finals.
Cleveland turns early deficit into a rout
Miami led 15-6 before the Cavaliers answered with a 33-5 run. Cleveland made 13 of 17 shots during the surge and hit five straight three-pointers.
Jarrett Allen scored 22, De’Andre Hunter 21, Evan Mobley 19 and Max Strus 18. The Cavaliers won the scoring battle in the paint 60-30 and received 52 points from their bench.
Bam Adebayo led Miami with 22.
Magic defence drags Boston into a fight
Orlando beat Boston 95-93 behind 32 points from Franz Wagner and 29 from Paolo Banchero.
Jayson Tatum returned from a wrist injury and scored 36, but the Celtics committed 21 turnovers and made only nine three-pointers. Jrue Holiday missed the game with a hamstring strain.
Wagner said Orlando’s physical style suited the roster and believed the more aggressive team would control the series.
Bucks and Knicks hold 2-1 leads
Milwaukee beat Indiana 117-101 after Gary Trent Jr. made nine three-pointers and scored 37.
New York also led Detroit 2-1 following a 118-116 victory in Game 3. Karl-Anthony Towns scored 31 and Jalen Brunson had 30 in a finish shaped by two disputed officiating decisions.
The four East series had developed differently, but Cleveland alone stood one victory from a sweep.
