Miami Heat vs Cleveland Cavaliers Preview
In a key Eastern Conference matchup, the Miami Heat (-186) will host the Cleveland Cavaliers (+152) at 6:00 ET. Miami (-4.5) is currently 7th in the East, while Cleveland is 3rd. The over/under line is 203 points.
This game will be played at the Kaseya Center in Miami, and can be seen on BSSU.
Check out BetCoco for Miami Heat – Cleveland Cavaliers odds
Miami Heat vs Cleveland Cavaliers Head-to-Head and Key Stats
When looking back on the last three head-to-head matchups between Cleveland and Miami, the Heat hold the edge with a record of 2-1. Not only does the team have the better record, but they have won in convincing fashion, posting an average scoring differential of 8 points.
- Across their three previous road games, Cleveland has an ATS mark of 1-2. Their straight up record in these matchups was 1-2 while averaging 100 points per game.
- Miami has played well in their previous five home games, going 3-2 straight up. In this stretch, they averaged 102 points per game while allowing 101. The team also performed well vs the spread at 3-2.
- The Cavaliers have played well in their last three games as the betting underdog, going 2-1 straight up and 2-1 against the spread.
- Against the spread, the Heat have put together 1-2 in their last three games as the betting favorite. In these same games, they went 2-1 straight up.
Miami Heat vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction
In their last game, the Cavaliers lost to the Timberwolves by a score of 104-91. The O/U line for that game was 206.5, and Cleveland was getting 7.5 points as the underdog.
Despite being the underdog in 24 of their 70 games, the Cavaliers have gone 11-13 straight-up in those games. Their ATS record as the underdog is 13-10, and they have lost three straight ATS as the underdog.
This season, Cleveland has an average scoring differential of +3.5 points per game at home and +4.0 points per game on the road. Their ATS record on the road is 17-15, compared to 17-19 at home.
For the season, the Cavaliers are 32-37-1 on the O/U, and their games have averaged 222.4 points per game. Today’s O/U line of 203 is lower than all of their previous games.
Currently, the Cavaliers are 3rd in the Eastern Conference with a record of 43-27. In the Central Division, they are in 2nd place. In non-conference games, the Cavaliers are 15-9 and 28-18 against the East.
Heading into tonight’s game, the Cavaliers are 20th in the NBA in scoring at 113.1 points per game. On the road, Cleveland is averaging 111.8 points per game.
So far this season, the Cavaliers have outscored the NBA scoring average in 42.9% of their games. In terms of pace, Cleveland is 21st at 97.2 possessions per game.
When it comes to three-point shooting, the Cavaliers are 7th in the NBA in made threes at 13.6 per game. Overall, they are shooting 36% from beyond the arc.
At this time, the Cavaliers’ defense is positioned 5th in the NBA, permitting 109.3 points per game. The Cavaliers defense is coming off a game in which they held the Timberwolves offense to just 42% shooting. Overall, they gave up 104 points to Minnesota.
Miami’s ATS record at home this season is 12-21, and they have failed to cover the spread in their last five home games. As the favorite, they are 16-20 ATS and have gone 27-12 as the favorite this season.
In their most recent game, the Heat lost to the Pelicans by a score of 111-88. The O/U line for that game was 207.5, and Miami was favored by 3 points. This gives them a season record of 38-32.
This season, Miami has an average scoring differential of -0.6 points per game at home. On the road, they are outscoring opponents by an average of +0.9 points per game. Today’s O/U line of 203 is lower than the team’s season average of 218.6.
In the Eastern Conference, the Heat are currently in 7th place with a record of 38-32. Against other teams in the East, they are 26-18 compared to 12-14 in non-conference games.
When playing at home, the Miami Heat are averaging 111.9 points per game, which is 22nd in the NBA. Overall, they are 27th in scoring at 109.4 points per game. In terms of pace, Miami is 29th in the league with an average of 95.7 possessions per game.
So far this season, the Heat have outscored the NBA scoring average in just 35.7% of their games. In terms of field goal percentage, Miami is 23rd in the league at 46%. From beyond the arc, they are 12th in three-point shooting at 36%.
When it comes to free throws, the Heat are 10th in the NBA in makes at 18.1 per game. In terms of assists, Miami is 22nd in the league with an average of 25.5 per game. Finally, the Heat are 27th in offensive rebounds at 9.4 per contest.
Coming into the game, the Heat defense has held opposing team’s to fewer points than the league average in 22.9% of their games. Currently, they are 4th in the NBA at 109.2 points per game allowed. In the terms of takeaways, Heat are causing 11.8 turnovers per game, ranking 6th in the league. They also enter the matchup ranked 30th in rejections, averaging 3.4 blocked shots each game.
Even though they are 4.5 point underdogs, we see the Cavaliers winning this game by a score of 113-112.
Miami Heat vs Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Tips
- We like the Cavaliers on the moneyline (+152)
- The Cavaliers are also our pick on the spread at +4.5
- Projecting a combined 225 points, we like the over
Miami Heat Injury Report
- Kevin Love – Heel – Out
- Josh Richardson – Shoulder – Out
- Duncan Robinson – Back – Out
- Tyler Herro – Foot – Out
- Caleb Martin – Knee/Ankle – Questionable
- Jaime Jaquez Jr. – Knee/Ankle – Questionable
Cleveland Cavaliers Injury Report
- Donovan Mitchell – Nose – Out
- Ty Jerome – Ankle – Out
- Dean Wade – Knee – Out
- Max Strus – Knee – Out
- Evan Mobley – Ankle – Questionable
