The Miami Heat have signed one of the saddest pages in their history in the NBA after falling to the Cleveland Cavaliers for a difference of 55 points (138-83), the largest recorded in the history of the playoffs. The tie ended 4-0 in favor of those of Ohio, which are classified for the semifinals of the Eastern Conference.
Miami, who closed the regular season in the eighth position of the east, says goodbye with several negative records. It accumulates a differential of -122 points in this series, the worst in the history of a tie, and become the first team that loses two consecutive games for more than 30 points in postseason. The debacle seems to confirm the end of a cycle that, just a year ago, saw them reach the NBA finals.
There are no excuses, it’s shameful “
On the side of the Cavaliers, east leaders, they gave no option at any time. In this fourth game they showed their best version with six double -digit players, led by Donovan Mitchell (22 points) and De’Andre Hunter (19 points). All this, in addition, unable to have its titular base, Darius Garland, absent by a sprain on the foot.
On the part of the Heat, Nikola Jovic was the top scorer with 24 points. Tyler Herro, on the other hand, barely added four, while Bam Adebayo contributed 13.
The frustration was evident in the post -participated statements: “There are no excuses, it is shameful,” Tyler Herro acknowledged. The coach Erik Spoelstra was also clear: “I hope the players improve from this, but, damn it, these series were a lesson of humility.” Bam Adebayo was more forceful: “There will be many changes this summer. As I see it, and knowing how the uncle of silver hair works, we better be prepared,” allusion to President Pat Riley.
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The Heat closed the regular phase with a poor balance of 37 wins and 45 losses, including a streak of ten consecutive stumbling blocks in March. If in previous campaigns they had already shown signs of weakness -such as losing for an average of 15.6 points -this time the collapse was greater: in the playoffs they suffered defeats with an average of 30.5 points.
The fall contrasts with the recent achievements of the Florida franchise. The Heat were finalists in 2023, falling to the Denver Nuggets, and NBA champions in 2012 and 2013. Currently, they are going through a stage marked by structural deficiencies, an inconsistent game and a template with little margin of improvement.
On the other hand, Cleveland is going through a sweet moment. He has scored at least 120 points in each of the four games of this series, something that was not achieved since 2021, and already expects rival in the semifinals.