Mitchell, Jerome help Cavaliers rout Heat 121-100 in Game 1 of 1st-round series

CLEVELAND (AP) — Donovan Mitchell quickly put any doubts to rest about whether his left ankle was 100% going into the playoffs for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Mitchell scored 30 points and tied a playoff career high with four steals and the Cavaliers beat the Miami Heat 121-100 on Sunday night in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first-round series.

“He can get in the lane and finish and he's a great shooter. Such a complete player,” Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said. “Whatever we ask him to do, he'll do it. He never shies away when we ask him to do the dirty work.”

It was the seventh straight series where Mitchell has scored at least 30 points in Game 1, tying Michael Jordan, who had two streaks of seven games.

“Just setting the tone. I have to be aggressive and see how the defense reacts to me,” Mitchell said.

Ty Jerome had 16 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter for the top-seeded Cavaliers, who host Game 2 Wednesday night.

Darius Garland added 27. Garland and Jerome each had five 3-pointers and the Cavaliers were 18 of 43 from beyond the arc.

Bam Adebayo had 24 points and Tyler Herro added 21 for the Heat. They are the first No. 10 seed to advance to the playoffs out of the Play-In Tournament.

Cleveland had a 16-point lead midway through the second quarter, but Miami steadily cut it down and got to 98-90 with 7:26 remaining in the fourth. Cleveland put it out reach though with a 13-4 run that included 10 straight points by Jerome, who was taking part in his first playoff game.

Jerome was 6 of 7 from the field, and made all three of his 3-point attempts in the fourth quarter.

“He turned the game for us. He did it all tonight,” Atkinson said.

It is the most points the Cavaliers have scored in a playoff game since they had 128 in Game 4 of the 2018 Eastern Conference semifinals against Toronto.

“We played super hard and competitive. We made some unforced errors, just some decision making that was not elite but they (Miami) had something to do with that. Our decision making has to be on point,” Atkinson said.

It was tied at 22 with three minutes remaining in the first quarter before Cleveland went on a 9-2 run to go up by seven after 12 minutes, a lead it would not relinquish.

“They were a lot more physical than us and that obviously set the tone. We’ve got to clean that up. It’s not going to be any easier," Herro said.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) shoots over Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (22) in the second half in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) shoots over Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) in the first half in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (5) knocks the ball away from Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell (45) in the first half in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland, center, drives between Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (22) and guard Tyler Herro (14) in the second half in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra gestures in the second half in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (22) shoots between Cleveland Cavaliers forward De'Andre Hunter, behind guard Ty Jerome (2) and Evan Mobley (4) in the first half in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome (2) celebrates in front of teammate Sam Merrill in the second half in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome (2) gestures to fans in the second half in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins, right, reaches for the ball as Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) heads up the court in the second half in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) goes up for a dunk between Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) and guard Tyler Herro (14) in the first half in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) gestures after hitting a three-point basket in the second half in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson, right, greets guard Donovan Mitchell (45) as he returns to the bench late in the second half in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, front, and Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo, right, reach for the ball in the first half in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) drives against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland, right, in the first half in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) left, dunks over Miami Heat forward Haywood Highsmith (24) in the first half in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell (45) shpts as Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland, right, defends in the first half in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson shouts in the first half in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) shoots in front of Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, left, and forward Isaac Okoro (35) in the first half in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) reacts in the first half half in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Los Angeles Chargers (11-5) at Denver (13-3)

Sunday, 4:25 EST, CBS.

BetMGM NFL Odds: Broncos by 12 1/2.

Against the spread: Chargers 8-7-1; Broncos 6-9-1.

Series record: Broncos lead 72-58-1.

Last meeting: Chargers beat Broncos 23-20 on Sept. 21, 2025, in Inglewood, California.

Last week: Chargers lost to Texans 20-16; Broncos beat Chiefs 20-13.

Chargers offense: overall (12), rush (12), pass (15), scoring (T-16).

Chargers defense: overall (4), rush (9), pass (6), scoring (7).

Broncos offense: overall (9), rush (19), pass (9), scoring (14).

Broncos defense: overall (3), rush (2), pass (8), scoring (4).

Turnover differential: Chargers plus-4 ; Broncos minus-5.

QB Trey Lance is making his sixth career start and first for the Chargers. He's appeared in three games this season, completing 7 of 13 passes for 90 yards with no touchdowns, no interceptions and two sacks.

WR Courtland Sutton surpassed 1,000 yards last week, but he dropped a touchdown pass and caught just four of the 10 passes Bo Nix threw his way. Sutton has 73 receptions for 1,012 yards and seven TDs this season, a similar output to last year when he caught 81 passes for 1,081 yards and eight TDs.

The Chargers offensive line and backup QB versus Denver's dominant pass rush. The Broncos have had a franchise-record and NFL-best 64 sacks so far and are within striking distance of the NFL record of 72 set by the 1984 Chicago Bears, who had a dozen in their season finale that year.

Chargers: Coach Jim Harbaugh said he's sitting QB Justin Herbert (left hand) for the finale along with several other starters. Rookie RB Omarion Hampton (ankle) missed practice time this week as did CB Nikko Reed (hamstring) and OL Jamaree Salyer (hamstring). Harbaugh said he doesn't expect Salyer to play Sunday.

Broncos: LB Dre Greenlaw has been dealing with a hamstring injury and won't play in the finale. WR Pat Bryant (concussion), TE Nate Adkins (knee) and DL John Franklin-Meyers (hip) were limited in practice this week.

The Chargers have won all three games against Denver and Sean Payton with Jim Harbaugh as head coach. All three have been one-score games.

The Chargers clinched a playoff berth for the second straight season, the first time that's happened since they reached the postseason four consecutive times from 2006-09. ... The Bolts are coming off a 20-16 loss to Houston in which they were 2 of 5 in the red zone while the defense allowed a pair of rare long touchdown passes to open the game. K Cameron Dicker missed a field goal from inside 40 yards for the first time in his career and pulled an extra point wide for the first time this season. ... The Chargers are the only team that's unbeaten (5-0) in the AFC West this season. ... RB Omarion Hampton has a touchdown in three of his past four games. ... WR Quentin Johnston is coming off a 98-yard performance in Week 17. ... WR Keenan Allen had seven catches for 65 yards and a touchdown against Denver in Week 3. ... The Broncos were the first team to clinch a playoff spot and can earn the AFC's No. 1 overall seed with a win Sunday. The Broncos won the AFC West for the first time since 2015, ending the Kansas City Chiefs' nine-year reign atop the division. ... Broncos QB Bo Nix is tied for the second-most victories over the first two seasons at his position with 23. With a win Sunday, he'll tie Russell Wilson's NFL record of 24 wins in his first two seasons. ... Nix needs one TD pass to become the fourth QB in NFL history with at least 25 in each of his first two seasons. ... Nix is the third player ever, joining Herbert and Peyton Manning, with 3,500-plus passing yards and 25 or more TD passes in each of his first two NFL seasons. ... RB RJ Harvey leads rookies with a dozen TDs this season. He's scored a TD in five consecutive games. ... LB Nik Bonitto had two sacks in Week 3 against the Chargers.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden (86) celebrates his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

Denver Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Kansas City. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton (8) celebrates his touchdown with quarterback Justin Herbert (10) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)