LeBron James scored 27 points and J.R. Smith made sevenย three-pointersย tyingย Cleveland's NBA playoff record ofย 20 3-pointers, as the Cavaliers opened a 2-0 lead in their series with a 107-90 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Thursday.

The top-seeded Cavs put away the up-and-coming Pistons in the third quarter, outscoring them 27-15 to protect home-court advantage heading into game three.

There was nothing easy about their first two wins - 101 to 106 in game one - and the Cavs, favoured to win the Eastern Conference and return to the finals, will have their work cut out when the best-of-seven series resumes onย Saturdayย in Detroit.

Kyrie Irving scored 22 points for Cleveland, who scored 20 of 38 on 3s and tied the postseason record shared by Golden State (2015), Dallas (2011) and Seattle (1996).

Andre Drummond scored 20 for and Reggie Jackson 14 for the Pistons, who have lost 10 straight playoff games against Cleveland. Drummond was just 4 of 16 from the line.

Dwyane Wade scored 28 points, Hassan Whiteside scored 8 for 8 from the field and finished with 17 points, as the Heat beat the Charlotte Hornets 115-103 on Wednesday to take a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference first-round series.

Goran Dragic scored 18 points, Luol Deng finished with 16 and Josh Richardson added 15 for Miami, who had 72 points by halftime and never trailed in the second half. Whiteside added 13 rebounds and is now enjoying an impressive post-season debut.

Kemba Walker scored 29 for Charlotte, needing 29 shots to get there. Al Jefferson scored 25 shooting off the bench, Courtney Lee added 12 and Jeremy Lin had 11 for Charlotte โ€“ who have now dropped 12 straight postseason contests. Game three is on Sunday.

The Los Angeles Clippers โ€“ seeded no.4 - ย cruised to a 102-81 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers โ€“ seeded no.5 on Wednesday at the Staples Center to take the Clippers to a 2-0 series lead.

The Clippers were led by Chris Paul, who had 25 points, six rebounds and five assists. J.J. Redick added 17 points and Blake Griffin had 12. DeAndre Jordan pitched in with 18 rebounds and five assists.

The Blazers, meanwhile, were led by Mason Plumlee, who had 17 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. Damian Lillard also had 17, but shot just 6-of-22 from the field. C.J. McCollum added 16 points on 6-of-17 shooting.

The series now moves to Portland, where Game 3 will take place on Sunday at 12:30pm AEST