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The Miami Heat nearly staged a comeback from a 19-point deficit but ultimately fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers, 121-112, at Rocket Arena, finding themselves in a 2-0 series deficit.
Nikola Jovic, having returned from injury and with limited play in Game 1 of the best-of-seven matchup, logged almost 25 minutes in Game 2, playing the entire fourth quarter. Nevertheless, late-game mistakes allowed the Cavaliers to maintain their lead during the final moments on Wednesday.
“I got what I wanted – to finish the game in the Playoffs. However, the decisions I made at the end were simply unacceptable,” the 21-year-old Serbian forward stated during a postgame press conference. “I definitely cost us the game.”
“This is my third year; I’m not a rookie anymore. I understand what it takes to reach the Playoffs, and my performance today was lacking,” Jovic added.
He finished the game with 11 points on 4 of 12 shooting. His line also included eight rebounds and two assists, along with two turnovers.
“I’m not concerned about my shooting. I know that if I had the same opportunities again, I would take those shots because I’m confident I can make them. They just didn’t go in today,” he emphasized. “I need to improve.”
“I wasn’t smart enough,” Jovic admitted. “This isn’t the regular season. If we had secured this win, we’d be heading back home at 1-1, feeling good about ourselves. Instead, we face the need to win both games at home and then return here.”
Another European player, Swedish Pelle Larsson, added two points and two rebounds in ten minutes for head coach Erik Spoelstra.
The Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, will shift to Miami’s Kaseya Center for Game 3 during the next installment of NBA Saturdays.
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