Reigning champion Boston and East top seed Cleveland defended home-court while the Houston Rockets leaned on Jalen Green’s brilliant performance to get on board in the 2025 NBA playoffs.
CAVS, CELTICS SEIZE 2-0 SERIES LEADS; ROCKETS RETURN FAVOR TO WARRIORS
- Cleveland Cavaliers (2-0) def. Miami Heat (0-2), 121-112: Donovan Mitchell erupted for 17 of his 30 points in a sizzling fourth quarter takeover, helping the Cavaliers fend off a late Heat uprising and took a 2-0 East playoff series lead.
- Spida Takeover: Mitchell scored half of Cleveland's 28 points in the final frame, including a personal 8-0 run that kept the East no. 1 seed in command en route to back-to-back wins.
[ALSO READ: Donovan Mitchell says he's just 'doing his job' in Game 2 takeover for Cavs vs Heat]
- Boston Celtics (2-0) def. Orlando Magic (0-2), 109-100: Without ace player Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown stepped up big-time thanks to a 36-point, 10-rebound double-double that paced the champion Celtics Game 2 victory.
Boston now travels to Orlando for Games 3 and 4 carrying a commanding 2-0 series lead.
[ALSO READ: Jaylen Brown’s 36 anchors Tatum-less Celtics past Magic in Game 2 for 2-0 series lead]
- Houston Rockets (1-1) def. Golden State Warriors (1-1), 109-94: Jalen Green atoned for his lackluster postseason debut by scoring a playoff career-high 38 points, taking command of a series-tying win for the Rockets in Game 2.
[ALSO READ: Jalen Green, Rockets pounce on early Jimmy Butler exit to knot series vs Warriors at 1-1]
