NBA Basketball Matchup: Cleveland Cavaliers vs Miami Heat
Every time the Cleveland Cavaliers take on the Miami Heat the game gets some extra attention.
8:00 PM EST
NBA Gambling Odds from Bookmaker
NBA Betting Favorite: Heat -13
Over/Under: 197
LeBron James is still a villain to almost all Cleveland fans, and the Heat are one of those teams it seems every one either loves or hates. The Cavs got a couple top draft picks in this year’s NBA Draft, and they are certainly much more competitive than they were last year.
Can they keep up with the Heat in Miami?
Cleveland comes into this one with some injury problems. Tristan Thompson and Anthony Parker are both expected to miss this game. This leaves the team without very much depth. Rookie Kyrie Irving has been impressing just about everyone that sees him so far this season.
Irving has stepped right into the starting point guard role for the Cavs and excelled right off the bat. Irving leads the team in scoring at 18.1 points per game, and he is shooting an impressive 50% from the floor and 40% from beyond the arc. Antawn Jamison is the team’s second-leading scorer, but he is shooting just 39.8% from the floor. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Alonzo Gee is a reserve guard who has scored in double figures in four straight games. The Cavs will need to pick up their defensive intensity if they are going to have a chance in this one.
Miami is 11-2 at home so far this season. The Heat have been great on the offensive end of the floor this year. Last year the team seemed to struggle in the half court sets, but they have looked much better this season. In addition, the team is getting out in transition more often and using their superior athleticism to their advantage.
The Heat have dealt with quite a few injuries this year to key players, but everyone is healthy right now. LeBron James leads the team with 29.2 points per game this year. James’ shooting percentage is 55%, and all of his numbers are up quite a bit from a year ago. Dwyane Wade has scored 20 points or more in five of the team’s last six games.
Chris Bosh has been a steady contributor this year for the Heat. Bosh is averaging 19.7 points per game. Miami leads the league in field goal percentage offense.
The Cavs are short-handed and I think the Heat will get a lot of easy buckets in transition in this one. Look for Miami to put this one away early.
Prediction: Miami 107 Cleveland 92
