Cleveland aims to stomp Spoelstra’s crew
Miami raised eyebrows across the NBA when it gave Tyler Johnson a $50 million contract during the offseason. Now, though, South Beach could be looking at a big bargain.
Coming off a career-best performance at Atlanta, Johnson will pilot the Heat into tonight’s showdown against Cleveland. Online sports book Bovada.lv gives the Cavaliers odds of -1450 to take care of business at home. Erik Spoelstra’s club, on the other hand, enters Quicken Loans Arena as a +850 underdog.
With Miami decimated by injuries, Johnson’s making the most of extended minutes. The Fresno State product racked up 27 points and five assists vs. the Hawks on Monday. Center Hassan Whiteside continues to provide ample assistance, too, pacing the league with 14.7 rebounds per game.
The question: Can the Heat handle the Cavs’ myriad of explosive playmakers? Most recently, LeBron James & Co. secured a 126-94 victory over the Knicks. The four-time MVP poured in 25 points on only 10 shot attempts, while Kyrie Irving led all scorers with 28.
NBA Quick Links: Free Matchup Reports | Injuries | Odds Comparison | Scoreboard | Betting Trends
J.R. Smith remains sidelined due to an injured left knee. Still, the hosts simply boast more talent across the board. Johnson’s ascension aside, we foresee a rout.
FRIDAY NBA FREE PICK: CAVALIERS -13.5