Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat, 3/8/19 NBA Predictions & Odds

Cavaliers vs. Heat Prediction

Will the Miami Heat avoid a letdown at home tonight when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers at 8PM ET?

Game Snapshot & Odds

557 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 558 Miami Heat

Friday, March 8, 2019

8PM ET – American Airlines Arena

Compare odds and from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our new NBA Odds & Betting Page.

Public Betting Trends

According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Heat are favored at home, as they are getting odds of -8.5 points against the Cavaliers. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 213 points. The public betting for this game currently has 69 percent going on the Heat at home. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NBA Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.

Cavs covering

Cleveland is coming off a 113-107 loss at Brooklyn on Wednesday. The Cavs have dropped three of their last five games, but have covered the spread in three of their last four. The Cavs are 16-49 on the season, 6-25 on the road, 30-34-1 against the spread and 33-31-1 with the over.

The Cavaliers have struggled on offense this season, averaging just 103.6 points per game while shooting 44 percent from the field. Defensively, the Cavs are giving up 113.3 points per game while opponents shoot a league-high 49 percent against them. Kevin Love is leading the team with 18.8 points and 11.4 rebounds per game while Collin Sexton adds 15.1 points per contest.

Heat catching fire

Miami is coming off a 91-84 win at Charlotte on Wednesday. The Heat have won and covered the spread in four of their last five. Miami is now 30-34 on the season, 14-18 at home, 34-30 against the spread and 33-31 with the over.

The Heat are one of the top defenses in the league, allowing 106.2 points per game while holding opponents to 44.2 percent shooting. Offensively, Miami is averaging 105.8 points per game while shooting just 45.1 percent as a team. Goran Dragic is questionable to play tonight due to a calf injury. Dragic is averaging 15.3 points per game while Josh Richardson leads the team with 17.3 points per contest.

NBA Betting Trends

Cleveland

The Cavaliers have covered the spread in four straight games following a loss and in eight of their last 10 road games against a team with a losing home record.

Miami

The Heat are just 2-7 against the spread in their last nine home games and 1-5 ATS in their last six at home against a team with a losing road record.

Prediction:

The Heat are on a nice run, but they have struggled most of the season when playing lesser competition. Miami has played down to lesser teams this year and seeing them as a big favorite is a red flag for me. Cleveland has been doing a better job of covering the spread as of late and having Kevin Love return has improved their offense from night-to-night.

NBA Prediction: Cleveland Cavaliers +8.5