In an electrifying playoff opener, the Cleveland Cavaliers dominated the Miami Heat with a decisive 121-100 victory, showcasing their offensive prowess. Ty Jerome emerged as an unexpected hero, scoring 28 points, including a remarkable 20 points in a critical fourth-quarter surge, solidifying his reputation as a Sixth Man of the Year candidate. Alongside him, Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland contributed 30 and 27 points respectively, highlighting Cleveland's depth and the challenges Miami faced, particularly in their defense.

Miami's Tyler Herro, despite a strong performance in prior games, found himself limited to just 21 points against Cleveland's staunch defense. The Heat's struggle was evident as they ranked last in clutch net rating since the Jimmy Butler trade, raising questions about their ability to compete in tight situations. With Game 2 approaching, Miami needs to address their fourth-quarter collapses to have a fighting chance against a formidable Cavaliers squad.