NBA Playoffs 2025 gave fans full money-wasting action on Sunday. Some of the top contenders from East and West kicked off their series — and that too in style! Whether it was the guard trio of Cleveland Cavaliers, or the calm comeback of Boston Celtics, or the one-sided demolition job of Oklahoma City Thunder — each game had a different flavor.
Let’s take a look at what happened and what NBA fans learned from this epic Sunday.
🏀 Cavaliers 121, Heat 100 — “Backcourt Brigade” dhoom!
The Miami Heat tried, but the Cleveland Cavaliers guards ruined their game. When the game was a little tight in the fourth quarter (only 7 points difference), Ty Jerome changed the course of the game.
Ty Jerome played a very explosive final quarter — 28 total points, 16 of which came in the last 10 minutes. When he hit that clutch 3-pointer, the game slipped from his hands. His performance made it seem as if he had come from the bench to control the match! And he was supported by Donovan Mitchell (30 points) and Darius Garland (27 points). The team had only 7 turnovers – meaning both discipline and rhythm were full-on.
💡 Takeaway:
The Cavs’ offensive depth looks scary. Their flow was extremely sharp even after a week of rest. If that consistency continues, this team could become a solid title contender in the Eastern Conference.
🧊 Evan Mobley: Quiet Night, Still Valuable
When the guards are on fire, it’s nice to chill a little in the frontcourt. Evan Mobley only had 9 points and 7 rebounds, but his presence still mattered — especially on defense. It looks like his role will be a little muted in this series, as he faces Bam Adebayo and rookie Kel’el Ware — both elite post defenders.
But Jarrett Allen quietly did his job — 12 points, 11 rebounds and 3 steals. His consistency could be the x-factor in this series.
🧠 Heat’s Mentality: Fighters, not Quitters
Looking at the scoreboard, don’t think Miami gave up. This team can be competitive in any situation under Eric Spoelstra’s coaching. With players like Tyler Herro and Adebayo, a comeback can happen anytime.
The Heat covered a 15-point gap in the second quarter and stayed in the game until the 4th quarter. Yes, the momentum shifted in the Cavs’ favor in the end, but the Heat didn’t collapse easily.
So expect a fightback in Game 2!
🍀 Celtics 103, Magic 86 — “Experience speaks louder”
The Boston Celtics struggled a bit in the first half — Orlando Magic’s young squad showed a lot of strong defense. The Magic led 49-48 at halftime.
But in the 3rd quarter, the Celtics turned on the engine – made a run of 30-18 and took control of the rest of the game.
🌟 Derrick White: Silent Killer
Everyone talks about Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, but Derrick White quietly scored 30 points and became the hero of the game. When Tatum momentarily seemed slow after the injury scare, White handled the entire offense.
⚠️ Tatum Injury Scare
There was a moment when the hearts of all Celtics fans skipped. Tatum fell on his right wrist after a hard foul during a layup attempt. X-rays luckily came out negative, and he returned to the game. He also hit a 3-pointer after the injury, but his wrist flexing repeatedly was a bit concerning.
Coach Mazzulla said “He’s doing good”, but if this injury gets worse, it could have a big impact on the Celtics’ championship hopes.
⚡ Thunder 131, Grizzlies 80 — “Total Destruction”
Was this a playoff game or an exhibition match? The Oklahoma City Thunder literally swept the Memphis Grizzlies off the court. Game 1 was a massacre — a 51-point victory, the 5th biggest margin in NBA postseason history.
🧨 Thunder’s Dominance:
First quarter: 32-20
Second quarter: 31-10
Third quarter: 44-point explosion
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Played just 23 minutes, scored 15 points — like enjoying an off-day.
Jalen Williams (20 points) and Chet Holmgren (19 points) created havoc from the frontcourt. The Thunder had 8 blocks, and Memphis finished with just 6-of-34 3-point shooting.
😬 Grizzlies: Rock Bottom
Ja Morant said postgame: “We will never play that bad again.”
Fair enough. Because honestly, it’s hard to be bad with him. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zach Edey — both just 4 points each! If the Grizzlies want to compete in the series, they will need to press the reset button before Game 2.
👀 What to expect from Game 2?
Cavs vs Heat: Will the Heat make a surprise adjustment? Or will the Cavs guards dominate one more time?
Celtics vs Magic: Will Tatum’s injury scare become a real threat or will the Celtics look more assertive?
Thunder vs Grizzlies: Will Memphis save its dignity or will Thunder’s bulldozer run in Game 2 as well?
Stay tuned, because these NBA playoffs have been a blockbuster from the start!
Basketball fans, which team are you supporting in this postseason? Tell me! 🏀🔥
Leave a Reply