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The Miami Heat will visit the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Quicken Loans Arena on Friday Night.
The Heat Defense
The season has not gone as planned for the Miami Heat, thanks mainly to the injury suffered by star point guard Goran Dragic but the Heat have managed to stay afloat and keep themselves within striking distance of the playoffs by playing solid defense. Miami has held 15 out of their last 19 opponents to below their season scoring average and they are 13-2 SU when holding opponents below 100 points.
Aside from defense, the Heat have also gotten solid play from their bench to offset the loss of Dragic’s scoring. Miami has the 6th most productive bench in the league at 48.4 points per game. The bench is led by none other than Miami’s original superstar Dwyane Wade who is playing his final NBA season. Despite being up there in age, Wade is averaging 13.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game this season to lead Miami’s reserves.
Miami Heat vs Cleveland Cavaliers 1/25/19
Moneyline Odds: Heat -375, Cavaliers +315
Odds from betonline.ag as of 1/25/19
The Cavs’ Offense
While the Heat have stood out because of their defense, the Cleveland Cavaliers are known this season for their offense or the lack thereof. Cleveland has the third lowest scoring average and shooting percentage among 30 NBA teams. With the team unable to find any consistent offense all season long, the Cavs are at the bottom of the team standings with the worst record in the league and they enter this game with a five game losing streak.
The main reason why Cleveland’s offense is sputtering is the fact that not only did LeBron James left last summer but because Kevin Love is still out with an injury. Without Love, veteran guard Jordan Clarkson has led the team in scoring with 16.7 points per game, the third highest scoring average for an NBA reserve this season. Aside from Clarkson Cedi Osman who has scored in double digits 30 times this season including 7 games with 20 or more points. Osman is coming off a career high 25 points with six three pointers against the Celtics.
Who Wins?
The Heat are 4-6 SU in their last 10 games played and Miami is 1-4 SU on the road during that period. The Cavaliers are 1-9 SU in their last 10 games played and Cleveland is 0-3 SU in three home games over that stretch. Head to head, the Heat are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games against the Cavaliers.
The Heat were expected to be one of the dark horses of the current season. But with lead guard Goran Dragic out with a knee injury and Dion Waiters’ comeback not unfolding as expected, Miami’s had an up and down season. Despite their struggles, the Heat are 22-24 and in striking distance to make the postseason. The Heat have lost two in a row heading to this game and they would like nothing better than getting back on track.
Cleveland is just 5-18 at home this season and own the league’s worst record at 9-40. The Heat are 22-24 on the season but they are a very respectable 11-11 SU on the road this season. Both teams are on a losing streak right now and based on roster strength and current form, the visitors have the edge over the home team.
I’m picking the Miami Heat to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers on 1/25/19
Other Bets To Make
Miami is 4-6 ATS in their last 10 games played. The Heat are 2-3 ATS in their last five road games. Cleveland is 2-7-1 ATS in their last 10 games played. The Cavaliers are 1-2 ATS in their last three home games. Head to head, the Heat are 4-1 ATS in their last five games against the Cavaliers but are 3-6 ATS on the road against Cleveland.
Miami Heat vs Cleveland Cavaliers 1/25/19
Spread Odds: Heat -9 (-110), Cavaliers +9 (-110)
Odds from betonline.ag as of 1/25/19
The Heat are 4-1 ATS in their last four games against teams with a winning record of below .400 and also 4-1 against such teams on the road. Overall, Miami is 11-4 ATS in their last 15 road games played. Meanwhile, the Cavs are 0-3-1 ATS in their last four games after a straight up loss, 0-3-1 ATS in their last four games after allowing more than 100 or more points in their previous game. Cleveland is also winless at 0-7-1 ATS in their last 8 Friday games played.
Prediction: Heat -9
The total has gone under in four out of the last five games of the Heat. The under is also 4-1 in the Heat’s last five road games. The total has gone over in 9 out of the 12 games played by the Cavaliers. Head to head, the over is 2-1 in their last three meetings but the total has gone under in five out of their last six meetings in Cleveland.
Miami Heat vs Cleveland Cavaliers 1/25/19
Over/Under Odds: Over 210 -110, Under 210 -110
Odds from betonline.ag as of 1/25/19
Cleveland’s scoring woes are an open book. On the other hand, defense has been one of the reasons why the Heat are still in the playoff hunt. Although the Cavs don’t have good defense either, the Heat would prefer to play this game with defense as priority.
Prediction: Under 210
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