Cleveland Cavaliers at Miami Heat Game Preview

Teams go through rebuilds all the time. The Cavs are in the third year of theirs, and folks around the NBA jumped the gun when they saw the team start 3-0. The wins were coming in against good teams, and as a result, it looked like the playoffs were in the cards. They dealt with injuries and also a 10-game skid. It’s been a wild year. But they have had good moments. 

Miami is an elite team when Jimmy Butler is healthy, and that is all there is to it. Bam Adebayo has continued to grow his game but has also missed a lot of time. In the last four games with him out of the lineup, the Heat have mustered up a 4-0 record. Not too shabby, huh? They continue to persevere and win. 

ODDS:

Miami is a 10.5-point favorite in this one. The over/under is 213 points.

Cavs Hoping for Redemption

The Heat haven’t wronged the Cavs this season. But that doesn’t mean they don’t want redemption. Even in this shortened version, the NBA season is still long. There are highs and lows for all 30 teams, even those that are destined to make it to the championship. It’s just part of the process. 

The Cavs have learned a lot about themselves this year, responding to all different kinds of adversity. But the recent injury to Kevin Love is not good. It is the same one that cost him 33 games earlier in the year, and it has put a damper on his future in Cleveland. He helped them win a title, and so they paid him big bucks to reward his loyalty and effort. Folks need to stop hating on him.

Look for Collin Sexton to have a huge performance in this one. He’s due for another breakout.

Heat Look to Make it 10 of 11

Listening to the Jay-Z song “Who Gon’ Stop Me” is actually about the recent stretch by the Heat. It isn’t actually, but if you had no idea, you’d have probably believed it. Winners of nine of their past 10 games, they have started to hit their stride, with Jimmy Butler leading the charge. A number of fringe rotation players have proven able to contribute in big ways.

It’s been nice to see Chris Silva get some minutes for the team after he had ridden the bench for much of the first half of the season. KZ Okpala and Max Strus have been surprising with some big performances. Gabe Vincent has looked good too. 

How the Cavs Can Win

The Cavs are 10.5-point underdogs, as mentioned above. It doesn’t mean they are destined to lose. If Sexton can score 30+ points, and Darius Garland can get into a passing rhythm, they’ll have a chance.

They will have to involve Jarrett Allen early and often. They play their best basketball when the man in the middle is aggressive. Also, make more threes than Miami.

Do those things, and a win could be hatched.