The Cleveland Cavaliers (8-29) and the Miami Heat (17-18) battle at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavaliers are 6.5-point underdogs and look to put an end to their six-game losing streak. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 204.5 points and it will air on Fox Sports – Ohio at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 2, 2019.
Miami Heat at Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Odds
Both teams were beaten in their last contest. The Cavaliers (3.5-point underdogs) were defeated by the Atlanta Hawks, 111-108, while the Heat (3.5-point favorites) fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves, 113-104. The Cleveland game hit the projected point total of 219, while the Miami game finished 10.5 points over the projected point total of 206.5.
Miami had an offensive rebounding percentage of 34.7 (above their season average of 26.1) while Cleveland did a terrific job of getting to and converting from the charity stripe (23-29; 79.3 percent). Cleveland was lifted by Larry Nance Jr., who had 18 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists. Dwyane Wade, meanwhile led the way for Miami, recording 21 points and five assists.
In their first matchup this year, Justise Winslow led the Heat to a 118-94 victory. He recorded a double-double with 24 points and 11 rebounds. Miami covered as an 11-point favorite and the two teams combined for 212 points, which was over the projected point total of 203. The Heat’s turnover percentage was their biggest strength over the Cavaliers. Miami had a rate of 6.7, while Cleveland posted a mark of 13.4.
Of the Heat’s 35 games, 19 have finished over the total. Miami comes into the game with records of 17-18 straight up (SU) and 19-15-1 against the spread (ATS).
Unlike Miami, a little over half of Cavaliers games have finished under the total. Further, Cleveland is 8-29 SU and 18-19 ATS.
The offense of Cleveland will battle against the stingy defense of Miami. The Cavaliers rank 22nd in offensive efficiency, while the Heat are eighth in defensive efficiency. The Heat figure to have the advantage on that end of the court.
Miami Heat at Cleveland Cavaliers Odds Pick
Free NBA Tip: SU Winner – Heat, ATS Winner – Heat, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Cavaliers rank 2 in steals allowed per game (7) while the Heat rank 8 (7.457142857142857).
- Miami ranks third in blocks per game (6.1) while Cleveland ranks 28th (2.5).
- The Heat rank fourth in points allowed in the paint per game (42.6) while the Cavaliers rank 23rd (50.9).
- Miami ranks second in assists allowed per game (21.7) while Cleveland ranks 15th (24.0).
- Cleveland averages 13.783783783783784 second chance points per game, which ranks 11 in the NBA. Miami ranks 23 in second chance points allowed per game (14.514285714285714).
- The Heat rank fourth in rebounds per game (47.6) while the Cavaliers rank 24th (43.6).
- The Heat rank 17 in points off turnovers per game (16.114285714285714) while the Cavaliers rank 29 (13.216216216216216).
- Miami ranks eighth in three pointers attempted per game (33.4) while Cleveland ranks 27th (25.6).
- In games where they allow below 100 points, Miami is 11-1 and Cleveland is 3-3.
- The Cavaliers are 6-14 when they score more than 100 points, while the Heat are 15-13.
- Cleveland is 7-11 ATS at home, while Miami is 11-5 ATS on the road.
- Of the Heat’s 16 road games, they have 9 overs, 6 unders and 1 push.
- The Cavaliers have 10 overs and 8 unders in 18 home games.
Bettings Trends:
- The Heat are 3-1-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Cavaliers are 2-3.
- In their last five games, Miami has 4 overs and 1 under, while Cleveland has 3 overs, 1 under and 1 push.
- During their last five games, the Heat have scored an average of 107.0 points per game (0.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 98.2 points per game (7.9 below their season average).
- The Cavaliers’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 14.2, up from 9.0 for the season.
