Cleveland Cavaliers 138, Heat 83
Golden State Warriors 109, Houston Rockets 106
📰 Top NBA takeaways tonight
- Warriors outlast Rockets: This game had about as much intensity as you can pack into 48 minutes. Big runs. Big answers. Big shots. Big stops. Houston led by seven at the half but the Warriors responded coming out of the break with an 18-1 run to open the third quarter. The Rockets battled back and took the lead in the fourth but the Warriors found a way thanks in large part to Jimmy Butler’s 14 4th-quarter points. Golden State now takes a 3-1 lead into Game 5 on Wednesday night in Houston.
- Cavs clinch convincingly: The Cavaliers punched their ticket to the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with a dominant, 138-83 win over the Heat in Miami. The win completed the sweep and put a bow on what was one of the most impressive team efforts in a series in playoff history. The Cavaliers hit 77 threes, which tied the record for the most triples in a four-game series. They also averaged 126 points per game and banked a +122 point differential over the four-game sweep. The Cavaliers now await the winner of the Pacers-Bucks series, which Indiana leads 3-1 going into Tuesday’s Game 5.
- Tuesday lookahead: There’s a loaded slate set for Tuesday night with a quadruple header starting in Indianapolis with the Pacers hosting the Bucks. The Knicks and Pistons tip off at 7:30, and the Celtics vs Magic showdown is set for 8:30. All of those are potential closeout games for the home teams. In the nightcap, the Nuggets and Clippers square off in Denver with the series tied at two games apiece.
🏅 Top NBA performers tonight
- The Cleveland Cavaliers: 13 different Cavaliers contributed to their 138-point eruption in Monday night’s closeout game in Miami. As a team, the Cavs shot 54.7 percent from the floor and 46.8 percent from three. Their 22 triples put them at 77 for the series, tied for the most in a four-game set in NBA history.
- Jimmy Butler: 27 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter to fuel a Warriors win over the Rockets.
- Brandin Podziemski: 26 points (6-11 3Pt), five rebounds, five assists, two steals, one block in the win over the Rockets.
- Fred VanVleet: 25 points (8-12 3PT), six assists vs the Warriors
- Alperen Şengün: 31 points, 10 rebounds, five assists vs the Warriors.
🌉 Warriors hold off Rockets, take 3-1 series lead
Warriors 109, Rockets 106
This game had plenty of hype going in and it overdelivered. 11 lead changes. 10 ties. Countless big shots. After the dust settled, the Warriors came out victorious and now take a commanding 3-1 series lead back to Houston for Game 5.
Jimmy Butler returned from a one-game absence and turned it on in the second half and finished with 27 points. He was a perfect 12-for-12 from the line, which was an important detail from this game. 14 of those 27 points came in the fourth quarter.
The Warriors were 20-22 from the line in a three-point win. The Rockets struggled in that aspect, going just 19-31 from the stripe.
Brandin Podziemski did his best Steph Curry impression with six made threes to set a new personal best in the playoffs with 26 points.
DRAYMOND GREEN LOCKS DOWN DEFENSIVELY 🔒🔒
WARRIORS WIN AND TAKE A 3-1 SERIES LEAD!!! pic.twitter.com/yg4w9dp4kI
— NBA (@NBA) April 29, 2025
It was a valiant effort from the Rockets. There were several stretches in which the Warriors looked like they were going to pull away but the Rockets always found ways to answer. Fred VanVleet was an absurd 8-for-12 from three and Alperen Şengün was unstoppable down low with 31. The Rockets dominated the points in the paint battle 48-28 but it was ultimately for naught.
Now the series shifts back to Houston for a potential closeout game on Wednesday night. The Rockets will have to dig deep against a seasoned Warriors team that has flexed its closing ability throughout this series.
😱 Warriors. Rockets. Crunch time.
We’re under 4:00 to go in Game 4 of Warriors-Rockets and things are continuing to heat up.
The Rockets and Warriors are going back-and-forth and setting up a terrific finish. The Warriors lead 102-101. Get to TNT. Or truTV. Or Max. Whichever you prefer.
STEPH SPLASH 💦💦
Big-time triple as we enter crunch time on TNT!
HOU-GSW | Game 4 pic.twitter.com/DLQNAUrxAS
— NBA (@NBA) April 29, 2025
🍿 Fourth quarter incoming
Warriors 82, Rockets 80
This game continues to deliver the drama and now the stage is set for a monumental fourth quarter in the Bay Area. The Warriors trailed at the half but came out of the locker room ready to go, mounting an 18-1 run to take control. The control was fleeting though as Fred VanVleet and Co. fought their way off the ropes on the road, mounting a 22-14 run to end the third.
A big differentiator thus far tonight has been the free throw performance. The Warriors have made the most of their trips to the stripe, hitting 15 of 16 attempts. The Rockets have left 12 points on the board (17-29). This could loom large.
Buckle up. This is going to be a wild fourth quarter.
JIMMY GETS THE AND-1 BUCKET TO FALL 😤
We’ve got a battle nearing the end of 3 on TNT!!!
Rockets (1-2) Warriors | #NBAPlayoffs presented by Google pic.twitter.com/mSlfWHENkX
— NBA (@NBA) April 29, 2025
3️⃣ FVV for 3
Houston’s Fred VanVleet is keeping the Rockets afloat tonight with six made threes on eight attempts with 3:00 to go in the third quarter. The Warriors got off to a blistering start in the second half but VanVleet’s shooting has helped the Rockets stem the tide.
Entering tonight, VanVleet was shooting 21 percent from deep.
Fred VanVleet has the RANGE tonight 🚀
He’s 6-8 from 3-point range midway through the 3Q!
HOU-GSW | Game 4 | TNT pic.twitter.com/76UjOIR2wO
— NBA (@NBA) April 29, 2025
🌊 Warriors surging out of the break
The Warriors scored the first 13 points of the second half and got out to an 18-1 run overall to force a Houston timeout.
However, Draymond Green just picked up his fifth foul with 8:06 to go in the third. Green has been a big factor thus far on both ends, so this could be an important moment in this game.
The Warriors lead by 10 but this has been a game of runs. The table is set for a thrilling finish and there’s still nearly 20 minutes of game action to go.
Teamwork makes the dream work pic.twitter.com/637IIV5Ddi
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) April 29, 2025
🍿 Rockets lead after intense first half
The Rockets take a 57-50 lead into the locker room after a, let’s say, spirited second quarter.
Houston won the second quarter 31-22 and shot 56 percent from the floor while the Warriors lagged behind at 44 percent.
The Warriors have an edge in second-chance points (13-6) but Houston is otherwise dominating down low with a 24-8 advantage on points in the paint.
Fred VanVleet and Quinten Post are tied for the game’s lead in scoring with 12 points apiece.
Things are setting up for a must-see second half in the Bay Area. Catch the action on TNT/truTV/Max.
VanVleet wraps it around to Sengun for the SLAM 💥
Rockets lead the Warriors at the break in a Game 4 battle!#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google pic.twitter.com/9SQ7rwXmBZ
— NBA (@NBA) April 29, 2025
💪 Rockets close gap, trail by two after 1Q
The Warriors came out on fire and led by as many as 12 early in the first quarter. The Rockets answered and battled back as they settled into the flow of the game to get it to 31-29 Warriors going into the second.
Amen Thompson is off to a good start with eight early points and three rebounds, which is key for Houston.
It’s getting good out in the Bay Area. Tune in on TNT, truTV or MAX.
Amen Thompson and Houston with a STRONG run to end the 1Q 💪 pic.twitter.com/2AoXE9FDTx
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 29, 2025
📜 The Cavs make history vs Heat
Just from looking at the scores, you could probably tell the Cavaliers were having an incredible run on offense in their series against the Heat. They scored at least 121 points in each game and topped out with 138 in the clincher Monday night. But where does it stack up in NBA history?
Well, according to our research, the Cavaliers’ 77 made threes tied for the most ever in a four-game playoff series. Who did they tie? The 2016 Cavaliers, who were lights out in their second-round series against the Hawks. If memory serves, that season ended pretty well for Cleveland.
The @cavs tallied 77 3PM in their First Round series to advance to the East Semis 🔥
That ties the MOST threes ever hit in a 4-game playoff series, joining…
The Cleveland Cavaliers, in 2016 🤯#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google pic.twitter.com/TZvO4FuwOQ
— NBA (@NBA) April 29, 2025
⚡ Warriors storming out of the gate
The Warriors have jumped out to a 13-2 lead early in Game 4 and forced a timeout to stem the tide. They’ve connected on three three-pointers and forced four turnovers in the blink of an eye.
The Chase Center is rocking. Tune in on TNT to catch the action.
DRAYMOND GREEN BACK-TO-BACK THREES TO START THE GAME 🎯🎯
Warriors leading early in Game 4 on TNT!#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google pic.twitter.com/FjT8SlPGKs
— NBA (@NBA) April 29, 2025
🧹 Cavs advance to second round in style
Cavaliers 138, Heat 83
The Cavaliers were on a mission Monday night and left no doubt as they completed the sweep over the Heat in emphatic fashion. Cleveland jumped out to a 43-17 lead after one quarter and the rout was on.
The difference in scoring efficiency told the story in Miami. Cleveland shot 54.7 percent from the floor, 46.8 percent from three and 88 percent from the line. Miami was held to 36 percent from the floor, 20.4 percent from three and 60 percent from the line.
Cleveland can now sit back and await the winner of the Pacers-Bucks series.
TY JEROME TO END THE 3Q!!
Euro steps into a near-halfcourt triple 😮💨
Cavs/Heat | Game 4 | TNT pic.twitter.com/6Qz3hFRuTw
— NBA (@NBA) April 29, 2025
Even Cleveland’s halfcourt heaves were falling in this one. It was simply the Cavs’ night.
🗣️ Playoff Jimmy is back
The Warriors have released their starting lineup and Jimmy Butler is officially set to return after missing Game 3. Butler scored 25 points and racked up five steals in the Warriors’ Game 1 win in Houston.
Tonight’s lineup ✋ pic.twitter.com/DxE9zts9Kx
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) April 29, 2025
Rockets lineup
Here’s how the Rockets are lining up on the other side as they look to even the series at two games apiece.
https://x.com/HoustonRockets/status/1917035354974261602
⛰️ Steph can throw it over them mountains
Steph Curry is getting warmed up for tonight’s Game 4 showdown against the Rockets and he’s taking a page out of Uncle Rico’s playbook to get ready.
Steph channeling his inner Uncle Rico 😂 pic.twitter.com/h6F2SfDHZk
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) April 29, 2025
Curry is averaging 29 points per game on 52.6 percent shooting through three games so far, so the Uncle Rico method seems to be working.
Catch Warriors vs Rockets on TNT, tru TV, or MAX tonight at 10:00 Eastern.
📊 Warriors vs Rockets preview
The Warriors lead the Rockets 2-1 going into tonight’s Game 4 at Chace Center. Historically, teams with a 2-1 lead have an 81.3 percent advance rate in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. If the Warriors are able to win tonight and push it to 3-1, that advance rate swells to 96.5 percent. Needless to say, the pressure is on the Rockets tonight.
Each game has been a battle thus far, including Game 3 on Saturday night at Chase Center. Down 71-69 entering the fourth, the Warriors put on a clinic in the final period to notch a 104-93 victory. The Warriors shot 57 percent from the floor in that period and hit five three-pointers while holding the Rockets to just 33 percent shooting.
Postseason experience is a huge factor working in the Warriors’ favor in this series against a talented Rockets team that is getting a crash course in playoff basketball.
One key storyline going into tonight’s game is Jimmy Butler’s status. Butler missed Game 3 due to a pelvic contusion but coach Steve Kerr said he’s “hopeful” that the star vet will be ready to go for Game 4.
Check out our Warriors vs Rockets series page for all the stats and info you need going into Game 4.
Stepping into the office.@Rakuten || #DubNation pic.twitter.com/irxEJgGfNd
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) April 29, 2025
😎 Cleveland cruising at the half
Cavaliers 72, Heat 33
A De’Andre Hunter triple just put the Cavaliers up by 40 in a potential closeout game against the Heat. Hunter leads all scorers with 18 points and is a perfect 3-for-3 from deep.
Jarrett Allen has a double-double already with 12 points (4-4 FG, 4-4 FT) and 11 boards in 16 minutes.
Zooming out, the Cavaliers have turned it over just six times vs 12 from the Heat. The Cavaliers have a 14-5 advantage in second-chance points and a 14-7 advantage on fastbreak points.
Catch the second half on TNT.
De’Andre Hunter knocks down another triple to put Cleveland up 40 🤯 pic.twitter.com/aPtY8DOkWu
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 29, 2025
😲 Cleveland up big after one quarter
Cavaliers 43, Heat 17
Everything is breaking Cleveland’s way to start the night in Miami. The Cavaliers are dialed in to the tune of a 62.5 field goal percentage and a 54.5 three-point percentage. They have three players — Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen and De’Andre Hunter — in double figures already.
Miami is off to a tough start from the floor on the other side, shooting 33 percent from the floor and going 2-for-12 from deep. It’s gut check time for the Heat as they look to close the gap before regrouping at halftime.
MITCHELL TO ALLEN FOR THE SLAM 💥
Cavs on a 30-8 run to start Game 4 👀#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google on TNT pic.twitter.com/hlnhGmz3Wi
— NBA (@NBA) April 28, 2025
🔥Cavs off to hot start vs Heat
The Cavaliers have come out on fire, building a 20-6 lead mid-way through the first quarter. They’re shooting 61 percent from the floor and 4-for-5 from deep. Donovan Mitchell has a quick eight points.
Spida triples off of Mobley’s jump ball win 💦
Cleveland-Miami Game 4 is on TNT! pic.twitter.com/Y2QQWkcQo1
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 28, 2025
🍿 Heat vs Cavaliers Game 4
It’s a potential elimination game tonight in South Beach with the Heat trying to fight their way off the ropes down 3-0 against the top-seeded Cavaliers.
Cleveland has averaged 122.0 points per game through three games. The three ball has been clicking with the Cavaliers hitting 18.3 threes per game at a 42.7 percent clip. It’ll be up to Miami to try and slow a Cleveland offense that has been rolling thus far.
Heat starting lineup
First up ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/dA0JWmlYYQ
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) April 28, 2025
Cavaliers starting lineup
There’s a notable absence in tonight’s Cavaliers lineup as Darius Garland (toe) is unavailable for the second straight game. Sam Merrill is set to start in his place and Ty Jerome should see an uptick in minutes as well.
ROUND 1, GAME 4 STARTERS. #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/tFoqzJwDAF
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) April 28, 2025
👉NBA storylines tonight
- Two Game 4’s on tap: The Miami Heat are fighting to keep their season alive as they host the Cleveland Cavaliers in a win-or-go-home scenario. In the nightcap, the Warriors host the Rockets in a pivotal Game 4.
- Cavs going for the sweep: The Cavaliers have dominated the series thus far, winning the first three games by an average margin of 22.3. The numbers support Cleveland’s excellence. They are first in the league in offensive rating, net rating, and true shooting percentage in the playoffs. Miami has plenty of playoff experience on its side, but it will be put to the test Monday night at home.
- Crucial Game 4 in GSW-HOU series: The Warriors took the series lead on their home floor in Game 3, pulling away for a 104-93 victory. Each game in this series has had fiery intensity and the same can be expected tonight.
