Miami Heat vs. Cleveland Cavaliers January 31 Betting Preview

The Cleveland Cavaliers (31-21) have been playing .500 basketball for the past month. They're hoping to put together back-to-back wins for the first time since January 4 when they host the Miami Heat (28-23) on Tuesday night at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. 

Cleveland is one game back of the Brooklyn Nets for fourth in the Eastern Conference. Home court in the first round of the playoffs would be a game-changer for the Cavs, which are 21-5 at home this season. They're just 10-16 on the road. Miami is sixth in the East, with only a one-game lead on the New York Knicks in seventh place. 

Miami Heat Betting Preview

It's been a somewhat disappointing season for the Heat, which came into the season with championship expectations. Despite mostly good health all season long, the Heat had a poor start to the year, but they seem to be rounding into form. Miami is 7-3 in its last 10 games, which includes victories over the Boston Celtics, New Orleans Pelicans, and Milwaukee Bucks. 

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Miami, like Cleveland, has one of the best defenses in the league. It ranks 3rd in defensive rating at 111.8, while the Cavs are second with 111.4. Scoring, however, has been a problem for Miami as they rank 30th in points per game at 108.6. 

Duncan Robinson is out for Tuesday's game for Miami, while Jimmy Butler is available. Butler leads the team in scoring with 21.9 PPG. Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo are also averaging over 20 PPG.

Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview

Cleveland's defense has been solid all season long, but was especially impressive in the team's 112-99 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. It was the second time Cleveland limited its opponent to fewer than 100 points in the last three games. 

Donovan Mitchell continues to impress in his first season in Cleveland. Mitchell is 10th in league scoring with 27.9 PPG. Evan Mobley is taking another step in his development. The 21-year-old center had a double-double in two of his last three games and has scored at least 20 points in three of his last five games, including a career-best 38 points on January 21 against the Bucks. 

Heat vs. Cavaliers Odds and Prediction

Cleveland is the moneyline favorite at -179, while the Heat is paying out +150 on the moneyline. 

The Cavs need a win here to separate themselves from the Heat and the teams currently in the play-in in the East. Cleveland is 17-8-1 ATS at home this season, while Miami is 11-13-1 ATS on the road. Expect the Cavs to cover and win back-to-back games for the first time since early January.