Cleveland Cavaliers vs Miami Heat Prediction: Slumping Heat meets a bit wayward Cavs

The NBA Regular Season has been red-hot and we have witnessed many battles go to the last possession with Overtime affairs piling up. As some teams figure out what combinations will bring them big-time results, the variations in the results are going to be aplenty. Returning to the Overtime affair, the Cleveland Cavaliers recently played a double Overtime affair and they will strive against the Miami Heat here.

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavaliers come into this game after beating the Charlotte Hornets 132-122 in a Double Overtime affair. The win brought relief as the team had lost five in a row after strong eighth wins and one loss start. Four of those losses were away from home so a tenuous road trup surely took its toll on the emerging squad. The upcoming schedule doesn’t look easy and it calls into question their hot start. The defense has surprisingly been slipping as the team has given up 110+ repeatedly after keeping teams under check to fewer points before.

Injuries can’t be blamed for the recent rut because the team was losing a ton even with their core intact. One big issue has been their inability to close out games and despite having a loaded and versatile starting five, the Cavs can have trouble identifying where to go in the end moments or how to keep the defense disciplined. The promise is huge and one big positive recently has been Darius Garland’s return to form and alongside Donovan Mitchell forms an amazing backcourt. Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley are huge in the frontcourt but Caris LeVert has lost the chops on offense, not being able to adjust to the Cavs system.

Miami Heat

The Heat marches into the affair after losing 106:107 against the Washington Wizards despite a 24 points outing by Kyle Lowry. They have lost two in a row away from home and their inability to close out games has hurt them big time. The Heat hasn’t played well thus far even with their loaded unit and have suffered nine losses in 16 games, which is way below the expectations. One big concern has been their untenable offense that has deserted them time and time again. Injuries to Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro only deepen the woes and although the defense is above-average. It isn’t as good as last season.

The one other concern for the Heat has been that their long-range shot has been off and that has hinged their progress. With Butler and Hero out, they have been hit with major injuries and their season has derailed. Their performances have been below-average thus far and after making two strong runs in three seasons, they may have hit their peak. Will we see the same core for the Heat moving forward? Will Kyle Lowry be able to get his rhythm back or is he going to slide even further.

Injuries

• Heat: OUT: Udonis Haslem, Tyler Herro, Jimmy Butler, Omer Yurtseven, Victor Oladipo. QUESTIONABLE: DeWayne Dedmon, Bam Adebayo, Gabe Vincent. DOUBTFUL Duncan Robinson;
• Cavaliers: OUT: Dean Wade, Ricky Rubio, Dylan Windler. DOUBTFUL: Kevin Love.

Expert Betting Tips

The Cavaliers have been struggling a bit but they are back at home where their performances have been way better. They are going to run into a Heat squad that has appeared clueless as of late and is too short-handed with injuries. Such teams can pose threats but mostly when you have your full game intact, these squads can be an easy win. And I do think the Cavs will get an easy W here. I see the points range in 223-233 with the scoreline prediction being 118:106 in favor of the Cavs.