By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Miami Heat almost came back from a 19-point deficit, but lost, 121-112, to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Rocket Arena and fell into a 2-0 hole.
After recovering from injury and being limited to a brief showing in Game 1 of the best-of-seven series, Nikola Jovic logged nearly 25 minutes in Game 2, including the entire fourth quarter. However, late blunders allowed the Cavs to retain control down the stretch on Wednesday.
“I got what I wanted. That’s to close the game in the Playoffs. The stuff I did at the end was really unacceptable,” the 21-year-old Serbian forward mentioned in a postgame media session, “I really did cost us the game.”
“This is my third year. I’m not a rookie anymore. I see what the deal is and how to get to the Playoffs. The stuff I did today was just not good,” continued Jovic.
He ended up with 11 points behind 4/12 field goals. His stat line additionally featured eight rebounds and two assists, alongside two turnovers.
“I’m not worried about shots. I know if I got those shots again, I would shoot them every time because I know I’m open and I know I can make them. It just didn’t go in,” he stressed, “I got to be better.”
“I wasn’t smart enough,” confessed Jovic, “This is not the Regular Season. If we took this one, it’s 1-1 heading back home, and we’re feeling great. This way, we know we’ve got to win both games at home and come back here.”
Another European option for head coach Erik Spoelstra, Swedish Pelle Larsson, went for two points and two rebounds in ten minutes.
The Eastern Conference Quarterfinals series of the 2025 NBA Playoffs presented by Google switches to Miami’s Kaseya Center with Game 3 on the next installment of NBA Saturdays.