CLEVELAND, Ohio – The top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers overpowered the eighth-seeded Miami Heat in the closing quarter of Game 1 and will look conjure up a similar formula as they host the Heat in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals at Rocket Arena on April 23. You can watch tonight’s game for free on multiple streaming services.
The game will be broadcast live on NBA TV and FanDuel Sports Network Ohio with a tipoff at 7:30 p.m. Eastern. But fans can catch the action for free by utilizing multiple alternatives like Fubo ($30 off first month) and DIRECTV, which both offer a free trial. Sling TV is also offering a promotional discount for new customers.
Streaming serviceMonthly PriceFree trial LengthDiscountDIRECTV$74.99Yes5-dayNoFubo$84.99Yes5-day$30 off first monthSling TV$45.99NoN/AHalf off first month
After letting the Heat hang around for three quarters, the Cavs pulled away to win, 121-100, showcasing the skills that brought them a historic 64-18 season and the East’s top seed.
The contribution was strewn across the stat sheet, displaying the overwhelming depth and aura of what figures to be a long journey through the spring.
Franchise centerpiece Donovan Mitchell continues to be a beacon of consistency. The six-time All-Star notched a team-high 30 points, four assists and four steals.
Mitchell’s backcourt mate, point guard Darius Garland, added 27 points and five assists. Garland cinched five from distance. It was the third straight game he has tallied 25 points and five assists and the second straight game with five 3-pointers.
Ty Jerome, making his playoff debut, dazzled with a symphony of 28 points, five rebounds and three assists. He finished third in the Sixth Man of the Year voting.
The Cavs, who put together a sparkling 35-7 record at home, have now won three of the last four meetings against the Heat as they try to cap a 2-0 lead before heading to much unfriendlier confines.
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Miami had the heart, but they didn’t have the firepower. The battle-tested Heat trailed by just eight points headed into the fourth quarter before the Cavs kicked in the nitrous.
Point guard Tyler Herro had the spotlight on him heading into the series. He nabbed 21 points and three rebounds. Herro has hit the 20-point threshold in his last 13 games.
Bam Adebayo poured in 24 points, nine rebounds and two steals in the loss. He led the team in rebounds and steals this season, amassing 38 double-doubles.
Miami’s mission is simple: Grab a split and bring them back to South Beach, where the Cavs are 4-16 in their last 20 games against the Heat. A spicy storyline twist to this series.
Watch Cavs vs. Heat for free on Fubo
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Here are more details about Game 2 and how to watch it via various TV and streaming options:
What: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat, NBA Playoffs Eastern Quarterfinals Game 2When: Wednesday, April 23, 2024Time: 7:30 p.m. EasternWhere: Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OhioChannels: NBA TV, FanDuel Sports Network OhioBest streaming options: Fubo (free trial and $30 off first month), DIRECTV (free trial) and Sling TV (half off first month)Cable Channel Finder: AT&T U-Verse, Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice, Cox, DIRECTV, Dish, Verizon Fios
Below is part of a breakdown on how Ty Jerome became exactly what Cleveland needed in his playoff debut from cleveland.com Cavs beat writer Chris Fedor.
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Ty Jerome could only watch.
Angrily. Vexingly. Miserably.
It was about a year ago when Jerome, still recovering from reconstructive ankle surgery that stole his first season with the Cavs, had to suffer from afar while teammates looked mostly discombobulated on offense for 12 straight playoff games until an unceremonious exit in the conference semifinals.
Jerome had one prevailing thought.
“I just kept thinking about all the ways I could have helped,” Jerome told cleveland.com while walking out of Rocket Arena late Sunday night following Cleveland’s 121-100 series-opening win over the Miami Heat. “There was a lot of anger. I was just wishing for that opportunity.”
It finally arrived. Easter Sunday. Game 1 against battle-tested Miami. Jerome’s long-awaited playoff debut — the moment he waited his whole life for.
It was worth the wait. A debut for the ages.
Jerome shredded Miami’s helpless defense, finishing with 28 points, the third-most in any game of his career, on 10 of 15 shooting and 5 of 8 from 3-point range in 26 game-changing minutes off the bench.
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