Heat vs. Cavaliers Prediction
The two former teams of LeBron James will meet up tonight in Cleveland when the Cavs host the Miami Heat. Which team is heavily favored in this 7:30PM ET contest?
567 Miami Heat vs. 568 Cleveland Cavaliers
Friday, January 25, 2019
7:30PM ET – Quicken Loans Arena
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Heat are favored on the road, as they are getting odds of -8.5 points against the Cavs. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 209.5 points. The public betting for this game currently has 68 percent going on Miami on the road. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NBA Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Heat need a win
Miami is coming off a 111-99 loss at home to the Clippers for their fourth loss in five games. The Heat have been held under 100 in those four losses. Miami is 22-24 on the season, 11-11 on the road, 25-21 against the spread and 24-22 with the over.
The Heat have a solid defense, as they allow just 106 points per game while limiting opponents to 44.2 percent shooting. However, the offense is bad and getting worse. Miami averages just 105.8 points per game on the season. Josh Richardson is leading the team this year with 17.8 points per game while Dwyane Wade is adding 13.8 points per contest.
Cavs not competitive
Cleveland has lost five straight, including a 123-103 loss at Boston on Wednesday. The Cavs are 0-4-1 against the spread in the five games, losing each by at least 16 points. Cleveland is now 9-40 on the season, 5-18 at home, 20-28-1 against the spread and 25-23-1 with the over.
The Cavs have nothing going for them on offense or defense. Cleveland is putting up 102.5 points per game on offense while shooting 44.3 percent from the field. Defensively, Cleveland is giving up 113.9 points per game while opponents to shoot a league-best 49.4 percent form the field and 37.3 percent from the arc. Injuries have been a problem all year and Tristan Thompson continues to sit out with a foot injury while Larry Nance Jr. is dealing with a knee injury. Nance is expected to play tonight. Jordan Clarkson is leading the team this season with 16.7 points per game while Collin Sexton is adding 14.6 points per game.
NBA Betting Trends
Miami
The Heat are 11-4 against the spread in their last 15 road games and 5-2 ATS in their last seven against Central Division opponents.
Cleveland
The Cavs are just 1-7 against the spread in their last eight home games and 2-6 ATS in their last eight conference games.
Prediction:
Both teams have really struggled on offense, but the difference between the two is defense. Miami actually plays some and Cleveland plays none. The Heat have really struggled scoring as of late, but I think that will change tonight. Miami should be able to take advantage of the poor Cleveland defense and see a boost in points while the Heat hold the Cavs down on offense.
NBA Prediction: Miami Heat -8.5