How to watch the Cavs NBA Playoffs Game 3 free live stream today (2025)

MIAMI – After holding off a furious Heat rally in Game 2, the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers head to South Beach to try and put a stranglehold on the series as it shifts to the Kaseya Center on April 26. You can watch today’s game on multiple streaming services for free.

The game will be broadcast live on TNT and FanDuel Sports Network Ohio with a tipoff at 1 p.m. Eastern. But fans can catch the action for free by utilizing multiple alternatives like Fubo ($30 off first month) and DirecTV Stream, which both offer a free trial. Sling TV is also offering a promotional discount for new customers.

The Cavs cruised into the fourth quarter with a double-digit lead before Miami chipped away to pull within two in the final minutes. That’s when Donovan Mitchell threw on his cape and stole the show.

Mitchell exploded for 17 points in the fourth quarter, finishing with 30 points, six rebounds and six assists. It marked the 27th time the six-time All-Star had scored 30 or more points in his playoff career. With their supernova incinerating Miami’s defense, Cleveland prevailed, 121-112.

Guided by first-year head coach Kenny Atkinson, the league-leading offense has posted back-to-back 121-point games, right around their average of 121.9. A familiar freight train now barreling down the postseason tracks.

A year ago, the Cavs were locked in a dogfight against the Orlando Magic struggling to reach 100 points. That team is in the past. Cleveland is sizzling in its postseason sample, including 49% from beyond the arc and 47.6% overall in Game 2.

All-Star Darius Garland posted 21 points and nine assists while fellow All-Star Evan Mobley, who was recently named Defensive Player of the Year, added 20 points and six rebounds. Mobley responded from a much quieter nine points and seven rebounds in Game 1.

Max Strus, a former Miami sharpshooter, jumped in the fray with 14 points and six assists. He has knocked in seven of 13 from distance in the series.

Garland is listed as questionable (left great toe sprain) for today’s game.

The series shifts to Miami, where ghosts linger from over the years. The Cavs are 4-16 in their last 20 games against the Heat on the road. Will the trend continue, or will Cleveland put Erik Spoelstra’s battle tested team on the brink of elimination?

Watch Cavs vs Heat on DirecTV Stream for free

The Heat showed their veteran resilience and determination with a desperate comeback that fell just short. Miami trailed by 13 points heading into the fourth before storming back to cut it to a one-possession game.

They trimmed it to 101-99 with 4:26 left on a Tyler Herro bucket. That’s when Mitchell commenced his takeover.

Herro remains Miami’s offensive centerpiece. He poured in 33 points, six rebounds and five assists. Herro shot 14 of 24 from the field, including 4 of 11 from beyond the arc. While his offense is rolling, his defense has caught the attention of the Cavs.

Miami shot 52% from the field, including 35.6% from beyond the arc in Game 2.

Center Bam Adebayo flirted with a triple-double, tallying 11 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists. It was a different contribution than his 24-point, nine-rebound performance in Game 1.

Andrew Wiggins finished with 10 points in Game 2 after a 14-point performance in Game 1. The small forward could be the X-factor for Miami to make a move in this series. Wiggins scored 20 points in both play-in games but has been unable to replicate that output against the Cavs.

Watch Cavs vs. Heat for free on Fubo

Here are more details about Game 3 and how to watch it via various TV and streaming options:

• What: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat, NBA Playoffs Eastern Quarterfinals Game 3
• When: Saturday, April 26, 2024
• Time: 1 p.m. Eastern
• Where: Kaseya Center | Miami, Fla.
• Channels: TNT, FanDuel Sports Network Ohio
• Best streaming options: Fubo (free trial and $30 off first month), DirecTV Stream (free trial) and Sling TV (half off first month)
• Cable Channel Finder: AT&T U-Verse, Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice, Cox, DirecTV, Dish, Verizon Fios

Below is part of a breakdown on how Cleveland has targeted Miami’s top-10 defense from cleveland.com Cavs beat writer Chris Fedor.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cavs have found a weak link in the ninth-rated Miami defense — and they are continuously and ruthlessly exploiting it on their way to a commanding 2-0 series lead in this first-round playoff matchup.

Tyler Herro.

When asked late Wednesday night, following Cleveland’s 121-112 win in Game 2, where it nearly squandered a 19-point lead and needed Donovan Mitchell’s late-quarter heroics to escape with a victory, point guard Darius Garland verbalized that offensive strategy.

“Pick on Tyler Herro,” Garland said pointedly when discussing his 2019 draft classmate and All-Star counterpart. “Don’t play in tight spaces and pick on their weak defenders. Go at them.”

The specific question was about playing clean basketball and limiting turnovers (the Cavs have committed just 17 through the first two games of this best-of-seven series) against a swarming and disruptive defense that has ranked sixth in forcing miscues over the final 15 games of the regular season.

But the offensive plan has been clear since this seemingly lopsided matchup tipped off Sunday afternoon.

Go at Herro.