Cleveland Cavaliers Dominate Miami in Game 4 to Set New NBA Playoff Records

The Cleveland Cavaliers made a massive statement in the NBA playoffs on Monday night, completing a dominant 138-83 win over the Miami Heat in Game 4. With the 55-point victory, Cleveland not only secured the series sweep but also etched their name into NBA history with the fourth-largest margin of victory in playoff history.

This blowout was the culmination of a series in which the Cavaliers outclassed the Heat at every turn. The Cavaliers won the four games by a combined 122 points, setting a new record for the most lopsided playoff series in NBA history, surpassing the previous mark of 121 set by the Denver Nuggets over the New Orleans Hornets in 2009.

With this historic win, Cleveland advances to the second round of the playoffs, where they will face the winner of the Milwaukee Bucks vs. Indiana Pacers series. Regardless of the opponent, the Cavaliers have made it clear that they are a force to be reckoned with in the Eastern Conference.

Cavaliers’ Offensive Juggernaut Continues to Roll

Entering the playoffs with the league’s top offensive rating (121), the Cavaliers have proven to be an offensive juggernaut. Their efficiency, combined with a top-tier defense led by NBA Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley, has made them nearly unbeatable. Miami, unfortunately, felt the full brunt of Cleveland’s firepower on Monday.

The Cavaliers wasted no time setting the tone in Game 4. They jumped out to an early 12-3 lead, forcing a Miami timeout just 2:50 into the game. By the end of the first quarter, Cleveland held a commanding 35-8 advantage, following a blistering 15-0 run. The Heat had no answer, as they continued to struggle with both offense and defense throughout the game.

A Historic First Half

Cleveland wasn’t done yet. They extended their lead to an incredible 45 points, leading 70-25 at halftime. The 39-point halftime margin was the third-largest in NBA playoff history, trailing only the 2017 Cavaliers (41 points vs. Boston Celtics) and the 1987 Detroit Pistons (40 points vs. Washington Bullets). At this point, Heat fans were left wondering if it was even worth watching the second half.

The Cavaliers continued their dominance in the second half, opening the third quarter with a 24-15 run that pushed their lead to a staggering 96-48. As the game wore on, Cleveland emptied its bench, but the reserves kept playing at a high level, extending the lead to as much as 60 points.

In the end, the Cavaliers won 138-83, falling just short of the NBA playoff record for largest margin of victory (58 points), which is held by the 2009 Denver Nuggets and 1956 Minneapolis Lakers.

Jarrett Allen Leads the Charge

Jarrett Allen, often overshadowed by his star teammates like Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley, put forth a sensational performance. He set the tone early with a steal on Miami’s first possession, which he converted into a dunk. By halftime, Allen had already recorded a double-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and six steals. Though he didn’t finish with a triple-double, his 14 points, 12 rebounds, and six steals in just 27 minutes of play were instrumental in Cleveland’s victory.

Cavs Thrive Without Darius Garland

Despite being without All-Star point guard Darius Garland, who missed Game 3 with a sprained toe, the Cavaliers were unfazed. The decision to rest Garland in Game 4 paid off, allowing him extra recovery time for the second-round series. With Garland on the sidelines, Cleveland’s offense remained balanced, with six different players scoring in double figures.

Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 22 points and five assists in just 25 minutes, including hitting 4-of-8 from beyond the arc. Mobley contributed 17 points and seven rebounds, while De’Andre Hunter led the bench unit with 19 points. Sixth Man of the Year finalist Ty Jerome added 18 points and five assists to the effort.

Cavaliers Control All Aspects of the Game

The Cavaliers dominated virtually every statistical category in this blowout. Cleveland shot 54.7% from the field, compared to Miami’s 36%, and they hit 46.8% of their three-point attempts, while the Heat made just 20.4%. The Cavaliers also outshot Miami from the free-throw line (88% to 60%), secured a 51-45 edge in rebounds, and led in assists (26-17) and steals (15-4), with Allen’s effort leading the charge.

Looking Ahead to the Second Round

With the series sweep, the Cavaliers now have time to rest before their second-round matchup against either the Pacers or Bucks. The Pacers currently lead their series 3-1, and with the Bucks losing All-Star Damian Lillard to an Achilles injury, the Pacers’ high-octane offense could make for an exciting second-round series against Cleveland.

For the Cavaliers, who have now proven they can dominate both sides of the ball, the rest of the Eastern Conference should be on notice. Whether it’s the Celtics or any other team, the Cavaliers are now firmly in the conversation as a legitimate contender for the NBA Finals.