Tuesday is a huge night on the NBA schedule. Out East, the Miami Heat (28-23) are traveling to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers (31-21). Looking at the NBA matchups on Tuesday’s slate, this is the most important battle between two teams who will likely make the playoffs.
Just under three games separate these two teams from one another, with the Cavaliers having the upper hand. As the NBA All-Star Break quickly approaches, every game matters from this point on. It all starts with the Heat vs Cavaliers betting picks.
Miami Heat vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Odds
Prior to the tipoff between the Miami Heat and the Cleveland Cavaliers, the home team is the favorite. Cleveland at -5 (-110) is favored in the NBA odds today, compared to that of Miami at +5 (-110).
The moneyline has the Miami +170 and Cleveland -200. Most sportsbooks have the total sitting at 209.5 (-110), which is one of the lower numbers you will see in the NBA in 2023.
Miami Heat vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Information
Miami Heat vs Cleveland Cavaliers
Date: Tuesday, January 31. 7:00 PM EST
Location of the game: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Cleveland, OH.
How to watch: Bally Sports Ohio, Bally Sports Sun, NBA League Pass.
Miami Heat vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Game Info and Analysis
Miami Heat Performance Recap and Analysis
On paper, the Miami Heat should be one of the best teams in not just the Eastern Conference but the entire NBA as a whole. Instead, they are sitting in 6th in the conference.
With the firepower of the 305, the Miami Heat odds typically gravitate toward the Vice City. That may not be the case this time around as they hit the road to battle the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Miami has struggled on the offensive end and struggled in conference play as well. The Heat are known for their defense, as it is very hard to score against guys like Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.
Against teams in the Eastern Conference, Miami is 12-14 on the year. Signs are pointing up for the underwhelming Heat as of late. They have gone 7-3 in their last ten games, even after a bad loss to the Charlotte Hornets.
Scoring has been an issue for the Heat, as they only score 108.6 points per game. That number is the worst in the entire league. The last time these two teams faced off, the Heat only scored 87 points on the night.
During the Heat’s last victory, five different players scored in the double figures. With a hit-or-miss offense, it is all about having a balanced attack for Miami.
Key Injuries
The Miami Heat have three different players to note on the NBA injury report. Gabe Vincent is day-to-day, while Duncan Robinson, Nikola Jovic, and Omer Yurtseven are out.
Most importantly, the All-Star forward, Jimmy Butler, is also listed as day-to-day. The NBA picks today will be greatly impacted if he is unable to compete.
Betting Trends to Know
Not only have the NBA team stats of the Miami Heat been less than ideal, but so have their numbers in terms of gambling. Against the spread, the Heat are 20-29-2 and 23-28 in the over/under.
Miami has only covered once in their last five games. Following that trend, five of the last six Heat games have gone under the posted total.
Cleveland Cavaliers Performance Recap and Analysis
Entering the season, the Cleveland Cavaliers were supposed to be an average team. Then one day in the offseason, they decided to acquire one of the most talented players in the NBA, Donovan Mitchell. He has lived up to the hype and is looking to lead his Cavaliers squad to a playoff berth as we are halfway through the season.
Cleveland–and the entire state of Ohio for that matter–often gets a bad rep on social media. Cavaliers players certainly do not seem to mind, as they are 21-5 on their home floor.
That is the best home record in the Eastern Conference. As they go up against the Miami Heat, who struggle against Eastern Conference opponents and on the road, all signs point to a successful night in Cleveland.
An interesting note, however, is that the Cavaliers are not as hot as they previously have been. According to the NBA player stats, they are just 5-5 in their last ten games.
You may be surprised to hear that when it comes to the Cleveland Cavaliers stats, they are perhaps the best defensive team in the league. Opponents only score 106.9 points per game on the Cavs, which is the lowest number in the NBA.
This team is very well-rounded but focuses all of their might on the defensive end. You know what they say, defense wins championships.
Key Injuries
The injury bug has been a lot more polite to the Cleveland Cavaliers than toward the Miami Heat. Only two Cavaliers enter Tuesday night’s game on the injury report. Former All-Star Kevin Love is probable to play with a back injury, but Dylan Windler is out with lingering ankle pain.
Betting Trends to Know
When it comes to covering the spread, the Cleveland Cavaliers have been quite impressive in the 2022-23 NBA season. They are 26-23-3 against the spread but, like the Heat, struggle in the over/under. Cleveland is 24-28 in the over/under, and five of their last six games have gone under the posted total.
Each of the last six games have had the opposite result when it comes to the spread. If that pattern were to reign true once again, Cleveland would not cover against Miami on Tuesday. Will you let a pattern impact your Heat vs Cavaliers betting picks?
Miami Heat vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Picks
Tuesday night marks the second of four times that the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers will play. Finally, it is time to reveal the Heat vs Cavaliers betting picks.
If you decide to bet on the moneyline, take Cleveland -200 against Miami. They are simply a powerhouse at home and dominated the first meeting 113-87.
The Heat struggle against the spread, so we have to fade them. Take Cleveland -5 (-110) and put all your marbles on it. Even if Jimmy Butler does play, this will be a cakewalk for the Cavaliers as they look to grow their lead over the Heat in the standings.
With such a low total of 209.5, you should take the over. For this result to happen, both teams would have to score under their season total. In game one between these two teams, they only scored 200, but with Darius Garland playing historically well against the Heat, expect a lot of points.
Miami Heat vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Score Predictions
The Cleveland Cavaliers will defeat the Miami Heat by a score of 115-106.
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