Cavaliers complete sweep of Heat to advance to next round

It was a masterclass from the Cleveland Cavaliers as they completed a commanding sweep of the Miami Heat, 138–83, in Game 4 of their first-round series on Tuesday, April 29 (Philippine time) at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.
From the opening tip, the Cavaliers left no doubt about their intentions. They raced off to a scorching 43–17 start in the first quarter, setting the tone early with stifling defense and efficient offense. Cleveland never looked back, stretching their lead to a dominant 72–33 cushion at halftime, completely smothering Miami’s chances of a comeback.
Leading the charge was Donovan Mitchell, who tallied 22 points and dished out five assists, orchestrating the Cavaliers' offense with pace and precision. Evan Mobley showcased his two-way prowess, delivering 17 markers and seven boards along with one assist, one steal, and two rejections that anchored Cleveland’s defense.
In the paint, Jarrett Allen dominated with a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds, while also handing out two dimes and recording an impressive six deflections that disrupted the Heat's offensive rhythm.
The Cavaliers’ second unit kept the energy high throughout the night. De’Andre Hunter sparked the bench mob with 18 points, while Ty Jerome followed closely with 17 points of his own. Javonte Green chipped in 11 points, ensuring that there was no drop-off whenever the starters rested.
Cleveland’s momentum continued into the third quarter, outscoring Miami 39–30 to build a commanding 48-point lead heading into the final frame. They finished strong with a 27–20 fourth-quarter performance, sealing the emphatic 55-point victory and eliminating the Heat from playoff contention.
Despite the lopsided defeat, Miami saw bright spots from its key players. Nikola Jovic stood out with 24 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block, leading the scoring for the Heat. Bam Adebayo also put in a hard-fought effort with 13 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists, trying to stabilize the interior for Miami. Andrew Wiggins provided a defensive spark with 12 markers and five boards.
With the series sweep secured, the Cavaliers now shift their focus to the Eastern Conference Semifinals, where they await the winner of the Milwaukee Bucks–Indiana Pacers series. The Pacers could potentially close out their series tomorrow, setting up Cleveland’s next opponent.
The Cavaliers’ statement sweep sends a clear message to the rest of the league: they are serious contenders in this year’s championship chase.
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The East Asia Super League (EASL) is officially set to raise the curtain on its new season with a twin opening in Taipei and Tokyo on October 8, 2025 — a move that reflects the league’s expanding reach and growing stature as Asia’s premier basketball competition.
All eyes in Taiwan will be on the Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium, which will host a blockbuster doubleheader featuring some of the region’s most decorated clubs.
The action tips off with a clash between the B.LEAGUE champions Utsunomiya Brex and the P. LEAGUE+ runners-up Taipei Fubon Braves. Utsunomiya, led by veteran guard Makoto Hiejima, entered as one of Japan’s most successful franchises. The Braves, meanwhile, look to prove their resilience after falling short in a grueling seven-game finals series last season, banking on the leadership of Chinese Taipei legend Lin Chih-Chieh.
The second game of the night brings a rematch between the P. LEAGUE+ champions Taoyuan Pauian Pilots and Japan’s Ryukyu Golden Kings. Their last encounter came in the 2025 EASL Final Four semifinals, where Taoyuan stunned Ryukyu, 71–64. This time, the Golden Kings are eager for redemption, while the Pilots hope to reaffirm their place among Asia’s elite.
Game schedule (HKT):
- Utsunomiya vs. Taipei Fubon – 6:30 PM
- Taoyuan vs. Ryukyu – 8:30 PM
China came within a single basket of toppling Oceania powerhouse Australia in the FIBA Asia Cup final, bowing 90-89 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, but sending a clear message that it remains a force in Asian basketball.
The Chinese squad, bannered by Hu Mingxuan and Hu Jinqiu, led by as many as 15 points through three quarters before faltering in the final minutes against the defending champions. Despite the heartbreaking loss, the performance was a reminder of China’s proud basketball heritage and its potential return to continental supremacy.
Gilas Pilipinas advanced to the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup quarterfinals after triumphing over host nation Saudi Arabia in a tense 95-88 overtime victory on Monday, August 11 (Tuesday, August 12 in Manila) at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.
Justin Brownlee once again showed his ‘Never Say Die’ attitude after drilling a contested three-pointer with 3.7 seconds left to force the extra period. He went on to finish with 29 points, five assists, and four rebounds, paving the way for a quarterfinal showdown with two-time defending champion Australia on Wednesday, August 13.
Brownlee’s heroics set the stage for Kevin Quiambao, who buried two triples in OT to complete a 17-point performance alongside three dimes and three deflections.
"It was a special game, it was a special performance from both teams," said head coach Tim Cone. "They (Saudi Arabia) posed a lot of problems for us, and by all rights, they had the game won — except for the guy sitting to my right (Brownlee). If you know his history, that’s not unusual. He’s been hitting big shots."
AJ Edu anchored the middle with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists, while Dwight Ramos chipped in 13 markers, 10 boards, three dimes, and a rejection.
Beyond Brownlee’s late-game magic, the Philippines secured the win by neutralizing Saudi Arabia’s high-scoring duo of Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman and Mohammed Alsuwailem in the extra frame.
Abdur-Rahkman erupted for 33 points on 8-of-14 shooting from deep, while Alsuwailem tallied 26 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks — but the two combined for only five points in OT as Gilas closed the door on the hosts’ upset bid.
The Scores:
Philippines 95 – Brownlee 29, Edu 17, Quiambao 17, Ramos 13, Fajardo 6, Tamayo 5, Thompson 4, Newsome 4, Malonzo 0, Perez 0, Aguilar 0.
Saudi Arabia 88 – Abdur-Rahkman 33, Alsuwailem 26, Almuwallad 10, Abdel Gabar 8, Ma. Almarwani 4, Belal 3, Kadi 3, Mo. Almarwani 1, Shubayli 0.
Quarters: 25-15, 40-37, 60-59, 79-79 (reg.), 95-88 (OT).