The Cavs maintain their 12-game unbeaten streak and become the first team to book a spot in the NBA postseason.
A closely contested battle in Cleveland on Wednesday saw the Heat threaten to end the Cavs’ 11-game unbeaten streak after opening up a seven-point lead late in the fourth quarter. However, the Cavs overcame the deficit in the closing minutes to seal their 12th consecutive victory and earn a spot in the postseason.
The Cavaliers improved their record to 52 wins and 10 losses, maintaining their lead in the Eastern Conference with 20 games of the regular season remaining.
Mitchell was one of six Cleveland players to finish in double figures against a short-handed Miami team missing Andrew Wiggins, Kel’el Ware, and Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Evan Mobley backed Mitchell with 16 points and 13 rebounds, while Darius Garland finished with 15 points and 10 assists. Bam Adebayo led Miami’s scorers with a game-high 34 points.
The victory, though, was too close for comfort for Cleveland’s star player, Donovan Mitchell.
“It took a collective effort as a group, but we locked down and got stops – but we’ve got to be better,” Mitchell said. “It’s always good to learn through a win though.”
Mitchell downplayed the significance of Cleveland becoming the first team to reach the postseason.
“It’s definitely a blessing and a sign of our hard work, but it doesn’t really mean much,” Mitchell said. “I’m happy we were able to do it for the crowd, but we’ve got a lot more to accomplish.”
🏀 WEDNESDAY’S FINAL SCORES 🏀
Donovan Mitchell leads the @cavs to their 12th straight win as they become the first team to clinch their place in the #NBAPlayoffs presented by Google!
Evan Mobley: 16 PTS, 13 REB
De’Andre Hunter: 16 PTS, 5 REB
Darius Garland: 15 PTS, 10AST pic.twitter.com/na9zzLdMR3
— NBA (@NBA) March 6, 2025
Celtics keep pace
Cleveland’s closest competitors, the Boston Celtics, overcame the Portland Trail Blazers with a 128-118 victory following stellar 40-point performances from Derrick White and Payton Pritchard.
White finished with 41 points, while Pritchard exploded for 43, delivering a shooting masterclass that included 10 three-pointers from 16 attempts.
“They were tremendous,” Boston coach Joe Mazzulla said of White and Pritchard’s double act. “The way those two played says a lot about who they are.
“They do a lot of the dirty work. So to have a night like this where those two can show what they’re capable of was good for us.
“We’re lucky to have them, and it’s a lot of fun to watch them do that.”
The Celtics improved to 44-18 with the win and trail leaders Cleveland by eight games.
In the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder inched closer to a playoff berth after dominating the Memphis Grizzlies 120-103, thanks to a 41-point outing from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Oklahoma City improved to 51-11 and now leads the West by 11 games over the second-placed Los Angeles Lakers.
In Denver, the Nuggets staged a comeback from a 14-point deficit in the third quarter to narrowly defeat the Sacramento Kings 116-110.
Russell Westbrook led Denver’s scoring with 25 points, while Jamal Murray added 24 and Nikola Jokic contributed 22.
Elsewhere, the Milwaukee Bucks pursued the Eastern Conference’s leaders with a lopsided 137-107 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.
Damian Lillard paced the Bucks with 34 points, and Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 32 points. The Bucks improved to 36-25 and remain in fourth place in the Eastern Conference.
In Charlotte, Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels each scored 29 points as the Minnesota Timberwolves pulled away to win 125-110 against the Hornets.
