The Miami Heat and the Cleveland Cavaliers will battle again on Friday, their second meeting in three nights. Miami, which pulled off a 120-103 upset in the previous encounter, hopes to make it back-to-back wins against the Cavs. The Heat will secure the season series 3-1 with another victory.
Meanwhile, Donovan Mitchell and Co. look for payback following their lopsided loss on Wednesday. A win by the Cavaliers (45-28) will tie the season series against the Heat and move them closer to the New York Knicks (48-26) for the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Miami Heat vs Cleveland Cavaliers Odds
Moneyline: Heat (+170) vs. Cavaliers (-210)
Odds: Heat (+5.0 -107) vs. Cavaliers (-5.0 -112)
Total (O/U): Heat (o242.5 -109) vs. Cavaliers (u242.5 -111)
Editor’s Note: The odds could change closer to the game.
Miami Heat vs Cleveland Cavaliers Injury Reports
Heat Injury Report
Miami cleared Andrew Wiggins (toe) and Nikola Jovic (back) to play against the Cavaliers. Jaime Jaquez is questionable due to a right ankle sprain.
Cavaliers Injury Report
Dean Wade (ankle) and Jaylon Tyson (toe), two key contributors for the Cavs, are on the inactive list. Star center Jarrett Allen, who has hardly played this month due to right knee tendonitis, has been upgraded to questionable.
Miami Heat vs Cleveland Cavaliers Starting Lineups
Heat
PG: Tyler Herro | PG: Davion Mitchell | SG: Norman Powell | SF: Andrew Wiggins | C: Bam Adebayo
Cavaliers
PG: James Harden | SG: Donovan Mitchell | SF: Sam Merrill | PF: Evan Mobley | C: Jarrett Allen
Miami Heat vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction
Miami’s lopsided win over Cleveland was likely an outlier since the previous two encounters were closely fought games. In the Heat’s decisive victory against the Cavs on Wednesday, 3-point shooting was a big factor for the visiting team. Miami’s 40% shooting to Cleveland’s 32% efficiency was a difference maker.
If the Heat, a 35.8% shooting team from deep, replicates the same marksmanship, they could leave Cleveland with another win.
However, the Cavs, likely embarrassed by their lethargic showing in front of their home fans, want to get back at their opponents. Expect the hosts, with or without Jarrett Allen, to get their revenge and beat Miami by a margin that beats the -5.0 spread.
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