Cleveland Cavaliers enter NBA playoffs with win over Miami Heat

With a close game victory over the Miami Heat, the Cleveland Cavaliers have successfully reclaimed their NBA playoff spot with a score of 112-107.

The Heat threatened to end their 11-game unbeaten streak in Cleveland on Wednesday with a seven-point lead, but the Cavs rallied in the closing seconds to recoup the deficit in the dying moments to secure their 12th straight victory and promotion to the postseason.

With only 20 games left in the regular season, the Cavaliers’ record has improved to 52 victories and 10 losses. They are still in control of the Eastern Conference.

Andrew Wiggins, Kel’el Ware, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. were among six Cleveland players who recorded double-figures in the match.

Mitchell was backed by Evan Mobley for 16 points and 13 rebounds, while Darius Garland forethrew 15 points and 10 rebounds. With a game-high 34 points, Jame Adebayo was among Miami’s scorers.

Mitchell, a Cleveland talisman, could not find comfort in the victory, though.

We locked down and made mistakes, but we’ve got to be better, Mitchell said. “It’s always good to learn through a win, though.”

Cleveland becoming the first team to reach the postseason, Mitchell downplayed.

It’s undoubtedly a blessing and a testament to our perseverance, Mitchell said. “We still have a lot more to accomplish than we were able to do it for the crowd,” said one participant.

WEDNESDAY’S FINAL SCORES

The @cavs become the first team to place in the #NBAPlayoffs presented by Google as a result of Donovan Mitchell’s 12th straight win.

Evan Mobley: 16 PTS, 13 REB
De’Andre Hunter: 16 PTS, 5 REB.
Darius Garland has 15 AST and 15 PTS. twitter.com/na9zzLdMRY

Celtics maintain pace

The Boston Celtics, Cleveland’s closest rival, defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 128-118 with a pair of incredible 40-pointers from Derrick White and Payton Pritchard.

White recorded a shooting masterclass that included 10 three-pointers from 16 attempts, finishing with 41 points, while Pritchard recorded 43.

Joe Mazzulla, the Boston coach, described White and Pritchard’s double act as “wondragable.” The way those two played, “is a big part of who they are.

They perform a lot of the dirty work. Therefore, it was beneficial for us to have a night like this where those two can demonstrate their abilities.

“We’re fortunate to have them,” he said, “and it’s really entertaining to watch them do that.”

With the victory, the Celtics improved to 44-18 overall and are now eight games adrift of Cleveland’s leaders.

The Oklahoma City Thunder overcame the Memphis Grizzlies to defeat them 120-103 in the Western Conference on the back of a 41-point performance from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Oklahoma City now leads the West by 11 games over the second-place Los Angeles Lakers, who improved to 51-11.

The Nuggets rallied in Denver to end the Sacramento Kings’ 116-110 run.

Denver’s scorers were led by Russell Westbrook, who added 24 points and Nikola Jokic, who added 22.

The Milwaukee Bucks continued to advance their dominance of the Eastern Conference with a 137-107 victory over the Dallas Mavericks elsewhere.

Giannis Antetokounmpo added 32 points, while Damian Lillard led the Bucks in scoring with 34. The Bucks remain fourth in the Eastern Conference with a season-high of 36-25.