The Cavs maintained their 12-game unbeaten streak and became the first team to book a spot in the NBA postseason.
The Cleveland Cavaliers punched tickets to the NBA playoffs in a fierce battle against the Miami Heat 112-107 victory thanks to 26 points from Donovan Mitchell.
A seesaw fight in Cleveland on Wednesday threatened the heat to end the Cavs’ 11-game unbeaten streak after opening a seven-point lead late in the fourth quarter, but the Cavs regained the deficit at the end time, sealing off 12 straight wins and postseason locations.
The Cavaliers improved their record to 52 wins and 10 losses, maintaining tension in the Eastern Conference, where 20 regular season games remained.
Mitchell was one of six Cleveland players who finished with double numbers against the short Miami team that lost Andrew Wiggins, Keruel Ware and Jyme Jaquez Jr.
Evan Mobley supported Mitchell with 16 points and 13 rebounds, while Darius Garland finished with 15 points and 10 assists. Bam Adebayo led the Miami scorer with a game-high 34 points.
But the victory was too close to comfort for Cleveland Talisman Mitchell.
“It was a collective effort as a group, but we were locked up and stopped, but we have to get better,” Mitchell said. “But learning through victory is always good.”
Mitchell reduced the importance of Cleveland becoming the first team to reach the postseason.
“It’s definitely a blessing and sign of our hard work, but it really doesn’t make any sense,” Mitchell said. “I’m happy to be able to do that for the crowd, but there’s a lot more to achieve.”
🏀Last score for Wednesday🏀
Donovan Mitchell leads @Cavs to 12 consecutive wins as they became the first team to win their spot in the #NBaplayoffs presented by Google!
Evan Mobley: 16 Pts, 13 Reb
De’andre Hunter: 16 pts, 5 Reb
Darius Garland: 15 pts, 10 ast pic.twitter.com/na9zzldmry– NBA (@NBA) March 6, 2025
The Celtics keep pace
Cleveland’s closest tracker, the Boston Celtics passed the Portland Trail Blazers 128-118 after a sensational pair of 40-point performances from Derrick White and Payton Pritchard.
White finished with 41 points, while Pritchard erupted at 43, delivering a shooting masterclass that included 10 3-pointers from 16 attempts.
“They were incredible,” Boston coach Joe Matzla said of White and Pritchard’s dual act. “These two ways of playing say a lot about who they are.
“They do a lot of dirty work, so having a night like this can show us that two of them are good for us that they can do.
“We’re lucky to have them and it’s so much fun to see them do it.”
The Celtics improved to 44-18 with a victory, eight games behind leader Cleveland.
At the Western Conference, Oklahoma City lightning approached the playoff berth after passing the Memphis Grizzlies 120-103, which is behind Shy Gilgauss-Alexander’s 41-point performance.
Oklahoma City improved to 51-11 and is now leading 11 games from the second-placed Los Angeles Lakers.
In Denver, the Nuggets fought back from a 14-point deficit in the third quarter, earning a 116-110 loss for the Sacramento Kings.
Russell Westbrook led the Denver scorer with 25 points, while Jamal Murray added 24 and Nicola Jokic 22.
Elsewhere, the Milwaukee Bucks continued their pursuit of Eastern Conference frontrunners with a 137-107 driving for the Dallas Mavericks.
Damien Lillard led the Bucks’ scoring with 34 points, while Giannis Antetocomo finished with 32 points. The Bucks improved to 36-25 in the season, finishing fourth in the Eastern Conference.
At Charlotte, Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels scored 29 points and the Minnesota Timberwolves left after a 125-110 victory with the Hornets.
