CLEVELAND, Ohio – After administering a historic first-round beatdown, the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers set their sights on Tyrese Haliburton and the fourth-seeded Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals beginning May 4. You can watch Cavs playoff games on multiple streaming services for free.
With a new head coach and a returning core, Cleveland uprooted the narrative of being just a “solid team” and have blossomed into a championship contender right in front of their usual doubters. Even the national talking heads came around to booking their reservations for Cleveland in June.
The Cavs were bullied out of the first round two years ago by the Knicks, and pushed further last year, making it to the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Boston Celtics for the first time since 2018. Despite a nearly identical roster, this year’s team resembles nothing of those shortfalls. Make no mistake, the pain of playoff losses have stuck with them along the journey.
Cleveland is already proving that this regular season was no fluke. After defending homecourt, the Cavs dismantled the Miami Heat in Game 3, 124-87. They left no doubt with an encore of historic proportions, obliterating the Heat by 55 points to clinch the 4-0 sweep. Frightening domination rarely seen in this stage of the NBA season. But it really should come as no surprise. It’s been their DNA all season.
The Cavs began the campaign with a historic 15 consecutive victories, setting the franchise record for the best start in history. That was just a sample of what became one of the most surprising – and still overlooked – teams in the NBA.
The Cavs were 44-10 at the All-Star break, tied for the 15th-best start in NBA history. Cleveland proceeded to set the franchise record for most consecutive wins, stringing together 16 straight victories.
After tailing off towards the end with a combination of rest and dull play, Cleveland captured the top overall seed in the Eastern Conference, finishing 64-18, marking the third time in franchise history that it reached the 60-win threshold.
When it came to taking cracks at the best of the league, the Cavs have held their own. They split the season series with the league-leading Thunder (1-1) and second-seeded Celtics (2-2). Cleveland was swept by the second-seeded Houston Rockets. To their credit, they swept LeBron James’ now eliminated Los Angeles Lakers and Stephen Curry’s Golden State Warriors (before acquiring Jimmy Butler III).
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Under first-year head coach Kenny Atkinson, the Cavs thrive in a faster, fiercer pace with a swagger not seen in quite some time. Atkinson has won Coach of the Month twice and was a coach in the NBA All-Star games. He is a prime candidate for Coach of the Year. Atkinson’s insertion has been nothing short of remarkable for the injection of capabilities of the franchise.
The Cavs finished the regular season averaging the most points per game (121.9) and the second-highest field goal percentage (49.1%). They have reached 130 or more points in 19 games this season.
Cleveland has the second-highest 3-point percentage in the league, firing at a 38.3% clip. In addition to being second in 3-pointers made per game (15.9), they have cashed a second-best 1,303 3-pointers, behind only the Boston Celtics. The Cavs are ninth in the league in assists at 28.1 per contest.
At the NBA trade deadline, among much speculation, Cleveland pulled the trigger on what is believed to be the final piece of their championship puzzle, acquiring small forward De’Andre Hunter from the Atlanta Hawks for sixth man Caris LeVert and Georges Niang and a slew of second-round picks.
The depth is jarring. The Cavs finished the regular season averaging six players in double figures, including three All-Stars in Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and Evan Mobley. They now have seven players in double figures after the first round.
In four playoff games, Mitchell, the franchise centerpiece, is averaging 23.8 points, 4.0 assists and 3.3 rebounds while shooting 47.8% from the field, including 45.7% from beyond the arc.
In his third year with the Cavs, Mitchell traded in his star power for a well-oiled machine in Cleveland. The outcome has him averaging the fewest points in the last five years and the fewest minutes of his career. Normally, those numbers would signal a decline. It’s the opposite. It’s the perfect sacrifice.
After a trying offseason, Garland has rediscovered himself. The point guard has only played in two of the playoff games due to a sprained big toe on his left foot, but is averaging 24.0 points, 7.0 assists and 2.5 rebounds while shooting 51.6% from the field, including 41.2% from beyond the arc.
With a combined plus-92 margin in his short absence, the old narrative of Cleveland being a better team without Garland has popped up once again after exit interview comments from Heat reserve Kyle Anderson. No one is buying it.
The Cavs claim arguably the most challenging frontcourt in the league with Mobley and center Jarrett Allen. Two heavy hitters that are looking to atone for sour playoff endings the past two years.
Continuing his ascent up the NBA ladder, Evan Mobley captured Defensive Player of the Year and has begun his redemption tour in the postseason. In four playoff games, Mobley is averaging 16.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists while shooting 59.5% from the field. The unicorn has dabbled in the deep shot, firing at a 47.1% clip
In four playoff games, Allen is averaging a double-double with 14.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists while shooting a startling 77.8% from the field. He led the NBA in field goal percentage during the regular season. Allen missed a majority of the Cavs playoff games with a rib injury last year.
Prior to the playoffs, the Cavs rose to sixth in the league in rebounds, hauling in 45.4 per game. The category has been a slow climb for Cleveland, who has mostly underperformed on the boards this season. They averaged 43.3 rebounds against the Heat.
After four games against his former team, veteran shooting guard Max Strus is averaging 11.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists while shooting 46.9% from the field, including 46.2% from deep.
Cleveland’s depth and its bench were key reasons for its historic start to the season. The chemistry was astronomical. LeVert and Niang went to the Hawks, and the show went on.
Hunter’s impact with the team has been a smooth transition. The former Hawk brings a keen defensive grit and a blossoming game to an already stacked core. In four playoff games, he is averaging 13.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists while shooting 48.5% from the field, including a scintillating 61.5% from beyond the arc.
Backup shooting guard Ty Jerome just missed out on capturing Sixth Man of the Year. In four playoff games, he is averaging 16.3 points, 4.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 52.4% from the field, including 50% from beyond the arc.
Sam Merrill continues his climb up the NBA charts. The sharpshooter drew two starts for an injured Garland in the first round. In four playoff games, he is averaging 5.3 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists while shooting 38.9% from the field and from beyond the arc. The overall stats aren’t going to shock you. But he can flip the long-range script on any given night, making for a crucial piece of their playoff puzzle.
The Cavs entered the playoffs 12th in opponents points per game, allowing 112.4 per contest. They tightened the screws masterfully, holding the Heat to just 95.5 points per game in the first round. The defense is one of many factors that will be examined under the meticulous microscope of the postseason.
Watch Cavs basketball today for free on FuboTV
The remaining Cavs basketball playoff games are expected to be broadcast on a combination of ESPN, TNT, truTV and ABC. If you’d rather catch the action live, tickets are on sale for all Cavs home playoff games for the 2024-25 season.
How can I watch Cavs playoff basketball for free?
Most Cavs games can be streamed for free live on DirecTV Stream (free trial) and FuboTV (free trial).
What is the 2025 Cavs playoff TV schedule?
Note: This article will be updated as more TV information becomes available. All times are for the home site.
*If necessary
NBA Playoffs
May 6: East Semifinals, Game 2: Cavs home vs. Indiana Pacers, 7 p.m., TNT, truTV. Stream live on DirecTV Stream and SlingTV
May 9: East Semifinals, Game 3: Cavs away vs. Indiana Pacers, 7:30 p.m., ESPN. Stream live on FuboTV, DirecTV Stream and SlingTV
May 11: East Semifinals, Game 4: Cavs away vs. Indiana Pacers, 8 p.m., TNT, truTV. Stream live on DirecTV Stream and SlingTV
May 13: East Semifinals, *Game 5: Cavs home vs. Indiana Pacers, time TBD, ESPN. Stream live on FuboTV, DirecTV Stream and SlingTV
May 15: East Semifinals, *Game 6: Cavs away vs. Indiana Pacers, Time and channel TBD
May 18: East Semifinals, *Game 7: Cavs home vs. Indiana Pacers, Time and channel TBD
Game-by-game results
Oct. 23: Cavs 136, Toronto Raptors 106
Oct. 25: Cavs 113, Detroit Pistons 101
Oct. 26: Cavs 135, Washington Wizards 116
Oct. 28: Cavs 110, New York Knicks 104
Oct. 30: Cavs 134, Los Angeles Lakers 110
Nov. 1: Cavs 120, Orlando Magic 109
Nov. 2: Cavs 114, Milwaukee Bucks 113
Nov. 4: Cavs 116, Milwaukee Bucks 114
Nov. 6: Cavs 131, New Orleans Pelicans 122
Nov. 8: Cavs 136, Golden State Warriors 117
Nov. 9: Cavs 105, Brooklyn Nets 100
Nov. 11: Cavs 119, Chicago Bulls 113
Nov. 13: Cavs 114, Philadelphia 76ers 106
Nov. 15: Cavs 144, Chicago Bulls 126
Nov. 17: Cavs 128, Charlotte Hornets 114
Nov. 19: Cavs 117, Boston Celtics 120
Nov. 20: Cavs 128, New Orleans Pelicans 100
Nov. 24: Cavs 122, Toronto Raptors 108
Nov. 27: Cavs 124, Atlanta Hawks 135
Nov. 29: Cavs 101, Atlanta Hawks 117
Dec. 1: Cavs 115, Boston Celtics 111
Dec. 3: Cavs 118, Washington Wizards 87
Dec. 5: Cavs 126, Denver Nuggets 114
Dec. 7: Cavs 116, Charlotte Hornets 102
Dec. 8: Cavs 113, Miami Heat 122
Dec. 13: Cavs 115, Washington Wizards 105
Dec. 16: Cavs 130, Brooklyn Nets 101
Dec. 20: Cavs 124, Milwaukee Bucks 101
Dec. 21: Cavs 126, Philadelphia 76ers 99
Dec. 23: Cavs 124, Utah Jazz 113
Dec. 27: Cavs 149, Denver Nuggets 135
Dec. 30: Cavs 113, Golden State Warriors 95
Dec. 31: Cavs 122, Los Angeles Lakers 110
Jan. 3: Cavs 134, Dallas Mavericks 122
Jan. 5: Cavs 115, Charlotte Hornets 105
Jan. 8: Cavs 129, Oklahoma City Thunder 122
Jan. 9: Cavs 132, Toronto Raptors 126
Jan. 12: Cavs 93, Indiana Pacers 108
Jan. 14: Cavs 127, Indiana Pacers 117
Jan. 16: Cavs 114, Oklahoma City Thunder 134
Jan. 18: Cavs 124, Minnesota Timberwolves 117
Jan. 20: Cavs 118, Phoenix Suns 92
Jan. 22: Cavs 108, Houston Rockets 109
Jan. 24: Cavs 129, Philadelphia 76ers 132
Jan. 25: Cavs 135, Houston Rockets 131
Jan. 27: Cavs 110, Detroit Pistons 91
Jan. 29: Cavs 126, Miami Heat 106
Jan. 30: Cavs 137, Atlanta Hawks 115
Feb. 2: Cavs 144, Dallas Mavericks 101
Feb. 4: Cavs 105, Boston Celtics 112
Feb. 5: Cavs 118, Detroit Pistons 115
Feb. 7: Cavs 134, Washington Wizards 124
Feb. 10: Cavs 128, Minnesota Timberwolves 107
Feb. 12: Cavs 131, Toronto Raptors 108
Feb. 20: Cavs 110, Brooklyn Nets 97
Feb. 21: Cavs 142, New York Knicks 105
Feb. 23: Cavs 129, Memphis Grizzlies 123
Feb. 25: Cavs 122, Orlando Magic 82
Feb. 28: Cavs 123, Boston Celtics 116
March 2: Cavs 133, Portland Trailblazers 129 OT
March 4: Cavs 139, Chicago Bulls 117
March 5: Cavs 112, Miami Heat 107
March 7: Cavs 118, Charlotte Hornets 117
March 9: Cavs 112, Milwaukee Bucks 100
March 11: Cavs 109, Brooklyn Nets 104
March 14: Cavs 133, Memphis Grizzlies 124
March 16: Cavs 103, Orlando Magic 108
March 18: Cavs 119, LA Clippers 132
March 19: Cavs 119, Sacramento Kings 123
March 21: Cavs 112, Phoenix Suns 123
March 23: Cavs 120, Utah Jazz 91
March 25: Cavs 122, Portland Trailblazers 111
March 27: Cavs 124, San Antonio Spurs 116
March 28: Cavs 122 vs. Detroit Pistons 133
March 30: Cavs 127 vs. LA Clippers 122
April 2: Cavs 124, New York Knicks 105
April 4: Cavs 114, San Antonio Spurs 113
April 6: Cavs 113, Sacramento Kings 120
April 8: Cavs 135, Chicago Bulls 113
April 10: Cavs 112, Indiana Pacers 114
April 11: Cavs 108, New York Knicks 102
April 13: Cavs 118, Indiana Pacers 126 (2OT)
NBA Playoffs
April 20: East quarterfinals, Game 1: Cavs 121, Miami Heat 100
April 23: East quarterfinals, Game 2: Cavs 121, Miami Heat 112
April 26: East quarterfinals, Game 3: Cavs 124, Miami Heat 87
April 29: East Quarterfinals, Game 4: Cavs 138, Miami Heat 83
Cavs win series, 4-0
May 4: East Semifinals, Game 1: Cavs 112, Indiana Pacers 121
How can I watch Cavs playoff games on ESPN for free?
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How can I watch Cavs playoff games on TNT for free?
You can watch the Cavs in the playoffs on TNT for no cost by utilizing a free trial from DirecTV Stream.
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