The Cleveland Cavaliers (8-27) will travel to AmericanAirlines Arena to square off with the Miami Heat (16-17). The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, December 28, 2018, and will air on Fox Sports – Ohio.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Miami Heat Betting Odds
Both teams fell in their last contest. The Heat (2-point underdogs) were defeated by the Toronto Raptors, 106-104, while the Cavaliers (9.5-point underdogs) fell to the Memphis Grizzlies, 95-87. The Miami game went 3 points over the projected point total of 207, while the Cleveland game finished 14 points under the projected point total of 196.
Cleveland had an offensive rebounding percentage of 38.0 (above their season average of 25.0) while Miami forced Toronto into a turnover percentage of 15.2 (above their season average of 12.0). Miami received a boost from Hassan Whiteside, who finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Jordan Clarkson, meanwhile led the way for Cleveland, contributing 24 points and five rebounds.
The Cavaliers edged out the Heat in this series last year, taking two out of three games. In the last matchup, Miami won 98-79. Miami had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.532 vs. 0.388). Cleveland, on the other hand, had a better offensive rebounding percentage (25.5 vs. 23.1). This is the first time these teams will meet this year.
Just over half of the Cavaliers’ games have finished under the total. Cleveland heads into the game with records of 8-27 straight up (SU) and 17-18 against the spread (ATS).
In opposition of Cleveland, a little over half of Heat games have finished over the O/U total. Further, Miami is 16-17 SU and 18-14-1 ATS.
Half-court execution will be critical when a pair of the NBA’s slowest-paced teams go head-to-head. Miami ranks 21st in possessions per game (102.0) and Cleveland is 29th (97.7).
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat Pick
Free NBA Tip: SU Winner – Cavaliers, ATS Winner – Cavaliers, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Heat rank 16 in steals per game (7.7272727272727275) while the Cavaliers rank 25 (6.742857142857143).
- Miami ranks third in blocks per game (6.1) while Cleveland ranks last (2.5).
- The Heat rank fourth in points allowed in the paint per game (42.8) while the Cavaliers rank 22nd (50.4).
- Cleveland ranks 10th in second chance points allowed per game (12.3) while Miami ranks 26th (14.5).
- Miami ranks 2 in assists allowed per game (21.666666666666668) while Cleveland ranks 12 (23.8).
- The Heat rank sixth in three pointers attempted per game (33.8) while the Cavaliers rank 27th (25.3).
- The Heat rank 20 in points off turnovers per game (16.060606060606062) while the Cavaliers rank last (13.371428571428572).
- Cleveland ranks 23 in fast break points per game (10.685714285714285) while Miami ranks 25 (10.333333333333334).
- Miami ranks fifth in rebounds per game (47.6) while Cleveland ranks 24th (43.6).
- Cleveland is 3-3 when they allow under 100 points, while Miami is 10-1.
- The Heat are 14-12 when they score more than 100 points, while the Cavaliers are 6-13.
- Miami is 7-9-1 ATS at home, while Cleveland is 10-7 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone under in 11 of the Cavaliers’ 17 road games, while 9 of the Heat’s 17 home games have gone under.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Cleveland and Miami have both had 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Heat are 4-0-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Cavaliers are 3-2.
- During their last five games, the Heat have scored an average of 103.2 points per game (3.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 95.8 points per game (10.5 below their season average).
- The Cavaliers’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 10.8, up from 8.8 for the season.
