Miami Heat vs Cleveland Cavaliers Match Player Stats – A Heated History and Latest Blowout
When the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers square off, you don’t just get a basketball game, you get drama, passion, legacy, and a scoreboard that usually needs a towel to wipe off the points.
From the gritty matchups of the ’90s to the high-octane showdowns of recent years, this rivalry has grown into one of the NBA’s most entertaining Eastern Conference clashes.
In this breakdown, we’ll dissect the latest player stats, revisit key moments from recent seasons, and reflect on how 135 matchups have shaped this legendary face-off. No fluff, just fast-break facts, shooting splits, and everything that makes this rivalry pop off the screen.
What Happened in the Latest Miami Heat vs Cleveland Cavaliers Game?
On April 21, 2025, the Miami Heat walked into Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse hoping to cool off the scorching Cleveland Cavaliers. Instead, they got steamrolled in a game that was far less balanced than the box score might suggest.
By the final buzzer, it was Cleveland who turned on the heat, dropping 121 points to Miami’s 100 and walking away with a convincing victory.
The Heat, now sitting at 37 – 45 for the season, looked like a team struggling to finish the race. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers, riding high with a 64 – 18 record and a home dominance of 34 – 7, made their statement clear: this isn’t the Cleveland of rebuilding seasons, this is a team ready for deep playoff noise.
Here’s how the scoreboard unfolded across four quarters:
| Quarter | Miami Heat | Cleveland Cavaliers |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 24 | 31 |
| Q2 | 30 | 31 |
| Q3 | 25 | 25 |
| Q4 | 21 | 34 |
| Total | 100 | 121 |
What began as a manageable deficit slowly snowballed, with the Cavs putting the clamps down defensively while lighting it up from mid-range and beyond.
Which Players Stood Out in the Latest Match?
The best way to tell the story of a game like this is through the performances that fueled it, or, in the Heat’s case, the few that tried to.
For Miami, Bam Adebayo was doing all he could to keep the fire burning. Scoring 24 points on 10-of-22 shooting, grabbing 10 rebounds, and making 3-of-6 from the line, Adebayo looked like a man on an island. Unfortunately, without strong support from the rest of the squad, it turned into a solo act.
On the other end, Donovan Mitchell was the maestro of Cleveland’s offense. His 30 points came efficiently, just 19 shots taken, with 11 makes. He also drilled 6 of his 7 free throws and threw in a few steals for good measure. When he’s cooking like that, there’s not much a mid-tier defense can do.
Player Comparison Table:
| Player | Points | FG Made/Att | FT Made/Att | Rebounds | Assists | Steals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bam Adebayo (MIA) | 24 | 10/22 | 3/6 | 10 | 2 | 1 |
| Donovan Mitchell (CLE) | 30 | 11/19 | 6/7 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
While both stars delivered, only one of them walked away smiling.
How Did the Team Stats Stack Up?
If you only looked at field goal percentages, you might think this was a close game. Both teams shot the ball fairly well. But basketball isn’t a single-metric sport, and Cleveland dominated where it counted: ball control, rebounding, and converting hustle into buckets.
Team Stats Comparison:
| Stat Category | Miami Heat | Cleveland Cavaliers |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goal % | 49% | 51% |
| 3-Point % | 42% | 42% |
| Free Throws Made | 12 | 15 |
| Turnovers | 14 | 8 |
| Total Rebounds | 37 | 42 |
| Offensive Rebounds | 9 | 12 |
| Assists | 20 | 25 |
| Points in the Paint | 42 | 50 |
Cleveland took better care of the ball and controlled the glass. And in games like these, those “little things” turn into lopsided final scores.
What’s the All-Time Head-to-Head Record Between the Heat and Cavs?
This wasn’t a one-off. These two teams have tangled on the hardwood a whopping 135 times in the regular season. And while Miami has generally had the upper hand, especially during the Dwyane Wade/LeBron Big Three years, the Cavaliers have clawed their way into relevance again, and the series is looking more competitive than ever.
Head-to-Head Record:
| Team | Wins |
|---|---|
| Miami Heat | 81 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 54 |
| Total Games | 135 |
Miami’s dominance through the 2000s gave them the edge. But don’t let that stat fool you, the Cavs have taken 3 of the last 4 meetings and are building momentum in the 2020s.
How Have the Last Few Seasons Between These Teams Played Out?
Let’s break it down season by season and see where this Eastern rivalry has taken us recently.
2025–26 Season:
| Date | Matchup | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 12, 2025 | Miami Heat vs. Cavaliers | L 116–130 |
| Nov 10, 2025 | Miami Heat vs. Cavaliers | W 140–138 (OT) |
Split series, both games crossing the 130-point mark. Defense? Barely made the trip.
2024–25 Season:
| Date | Matchup | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 5, 2025 | Heat @ Cavaliers | L 107–112 |
| Jan 29, 2025 | Heat vs Cavaliers | L 106–126 |
| Dec 8, 2024 | Heat vs Cavaliers | W 122–113 |
Cavaliers take it 2–1. Mitchell had back-to-back 30-point games in the wins.
2023–24 Season:
Miami showed up swinging this year.
| Date | Matchup | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 24, 2024 | Heat vs Cavaliers | W 121–84 |
| Mar 20, 2024 | Heat @ Cavaliers | W 107–104 |
| Dec 8, 2023 | Heat vs Cavaliers | L 99–111 |
| Nov 22, 2023 | Heat @ Cavaliers | W 129–96 |
Three wins for Miami, and all of them by double digits.
2022–23 Season:
An even matchup, and a seesaw ride.
| Date | Matchup | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 10, 2023 | Heat vs Cavaliers | W 119–115 |
| Mar 8, 2023 | Heat vs Cavaliers | L 100–104 |
| Jan 31, 2023 | Heat @ Cavaliers | W 100–97 |
| Nov 20, 2022 | Heat @ Cavaliers | L 87–113 |
Two wins each. Mitchell and Adebayo traded punches, figuratively, of course.
How Has the Rivalry Evolved Through the Decades?
Let’s time-travel. This rivalry has been simmering since 1988, and it’s gone through phases like a dramatic TV series.
- 1990s: Cavaliers got the early jump, winning the first nine matchups before the Heat found their stride.
- 2000s: Dwyane Wade entered the scene and helped Miami take control, turning the tables with long winning streaks.
- 2010–2014: With LeBron James returning to Miami, the Heat dominated. They won 11 straight games at one point.
- 2015–2020: A mixed bag. As LeBron returned to Cleveland, the Cavaliers fought back and evened things up a bit.
- 2021–Present: Competitive and unpredictable. Miami still edges the rivalry, but the Cavs have been closing the gap with young stars and strong drafts.
What Does This Rivalry Mean for the Eastern Conference?
This isn’t just a battle of teams, it’s a battle of cultures. The Heat bring that grit-and-grind, defensive-minded “Heat Culture.” The Cavaliers, once in rebuild mode, have rebuilt into a deep, versatile roster that can score from anywhere.
Each matchup now feels like a playoff preview, especially with both teams eyeing top seeds or sneaky playoff runs. And every box score tells a story, about how much closer this matchup is becoming.
FAQs – What Else Should You Know About Heat vs Cavs?
How often do Miami and Cleveland face each other?
They’ve met 135 times in the regular season, with 3 – 4 matchups each year.
Who holds the longest win streak in this rivalry?
Miami, with an 11-game win streak from 2013 to 2015.
What’s the largest margin of victory?
Miami’s 121 – 84 win in March 2024 stands out in recent memory.
How do they perform in away games?
Cleveland holds a 34 – 7 home record this season. Miami, on the road, has been shaky at 17–23.
Who are the key matchups to watch in current rosters?
Bam Adebayo vs. Jarrett Allen in the paint, and Donovan Mitchell vs. Tyler Herro on the perimeter.
Do they meet in the playoffs often?
Not frequently, but as both teams remain contenders, future playoff battles look inevitable.
Who are the historical icons in this rivalry?
LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Kyrie Irving, and now Mitchell and Adebayo.
