Cleveland Cavaliers clinch playoff spot after defeating Miami Heat for 12th consecutive win

The NBA-best Cleveland Cavaliers clinched the first playoff spot of the season after holding off the shorthanded Miami Heat 112-107 at home Wednesday night.

The NBA-best Cleveland Cavaliers clinched the first playoff spot of the season after holding off the shorthanded Miami Heat 112-107 at home Wednesday night. Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell had a team-high 26 points to go along with seven rebounds and five assists, as the Cavs picked up their 12th consecutive victory to improve to 52-10. After the game, Mitchell said the Cavaliers have bigger goals than just making the postseason. “It’s an honor. It’s a sign of our hard work as a group. But the end of the day, don’t really mean much,” Mitchell said. “It’s great to be in the playoffs. When we started this and I came here and re-signed, the playoffs weren’t the goal. “This is just another step on our journey. … But we got a lot more to accomplish.” Cavaliers power forward Evan Mobley had 16 points and 13 rebounds and guard Darius Garland added 15 points and 10 assists.