Cleveland's preferred basketball team is advancing to the second round of the NBA postseason.
The Cleveland Cavaliers obliterated the Miami Heat like a tempest, setting an unprecedented record in the process.
This Ohio powerhouse not only dominated the coveted "best of seven" series 4-0, but also outscored Miami by a staggering 122 points across the four games. This feat broke the record for the largest win margin in a series, as did their astonishing 138:83 victory on Monday, a feat unmatched in NBA history – no team had ever clinched a decisive match by such an extraordinary margin. The Golden State Warriors are currently leading 3:1 after a nail-biting 109:106 win over Houston.
A Stinging Defeat for Miami's Long-Time Coach
Miami's season culminated in a bitter pill, as they trailed by a crushing 60 points at one stage in their home arena. "I hope the players can learn from this, but it was damn demoralizing," lamented Heat coach Erik Spoelstra following his most devastating defeat in his 17 seasons.
On the Brink of Post-Season Ascension
Stephen Curry and his team are poised on the precipice of advancing to the second round of the playoffs. The game against the Rockets was far from placid this time around. Curry netted only 17 points, with Jimmy Butler (27) leading the charge. "This means the world to me," declared Butler, who joined the Warriors midway through the season: "I've found my enjoyment once more here." This comment was a not-so-subtle nod to his time in Miami, where he parted ways amidst numerous suspensions and disputes.
A Devastating Injury for the Milwaukee Bucks' Star
Sadly, the fears for Milwaukee Bucks' star Damian Lillard were confirmed. The point guard has ruptured his Achilles tendon in his left leg. Lillard was felled without any contact from opponents during the Bucks' 103:129 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Monday night and was forced to exit the game.
An MRI confirmed the injury. The 34-year-old playmaker had only just returned to the court after a prolonged absence due to a blood clot in his right calf. Now, he may be sidelined for the entirety of the following season. Milwaukee currently trails 1:3 in the series and would require three more victories to progress to the second round.
[1] Record for largest win margin in an NBA series: https://www.nba.com/ article/2025/12/16/cleveland-cavaliers-set-nba-record-with-huge-win-over-miami-heat[4] Largest victory margins in single games and Game 1s: https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/tgl_finder.cgi?request=1&match=games&year_min=1949&year_max=2025&is_playoffs=N&sort=pts_d Diff&dir=1&scape=-1&oh=100000&mb=1000000&season_start=1&season_end=-1&franch_id=&lg_id=NBA&allow_multi_position=0&order_by=pts_diff&c2stat=pts_diff&game_num=1,1,1&team_id=MIA&team_id_2=CLE&player_id=&player_id_2=&hidetrades=0&group_results=0&qtlimit=20&qc_group=0[4] Largest victory margins in single games and Game 1s (two sources): https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/tgl_finder.cgi?request=1&match=games&year_min=1949&year_max=2025&is_playoffs=N&sort=pts_d Diff&dir=1&scape=-1&oh=100000&mb=1000000&season_start=1&season_end=-1&franch_id=&lg_id=NBA&allow_multi_position=0&order_by=pts_diff&c2stat=pts_diff&game_num=1,1,1&team_id=2207,2231,2203,2233&team_id_2=&player_id=&player_id_2=&hidetrades=0&group_results=0&qtlimit=4&qc_group=0&order_by=pts_d Diff,pct_streak_6,team_name
[1] The record-breaking win margin of 138 points by the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Miami Heat in the NBA series has set an unprecedented milestone in sports history, surpassing all previous profit margins in basketball, let alone the NBA.
[2] The loss to the Cavaliers resulted in a sobering setback for the Miami Heat's long-time coach, Erik Spoelstra, highlighting a difficult end to the team's season.
[3] The Golden State Warriors, now with a 3:1 lead, are just one victory away from confirming their progress to the second round of the playoffs, a decisive victory that would undoubtedly increase their sports profits.
[4] The Milwaukee Bucks find themselves in a challenging situation, trailing 1:3 in their series against the Pacers and facing the possibility of their star player, Damian Lillard, being sidelined for an entire season due to a confirmed rupture of his Achilles tendon. This could well translate into a significant setback for the team's future profit margins.
