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The Cleveland Cavaliers (21-3) and Miami Heat (11-10) meet Sunday at Kaseya Center in Miami. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Cavaliers vs. Heat odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Heat won 3-1 in 2023-24
The Cavaliers picked up a 116-102 win over the Hornets Saturday afternoon in Charlotte, narrowly covering as a 13.5-point favorite at most shops as the Over (217.5) cashed. Cavs F Evan Mobley posted a career-high 41 points, hitting 16-of-23 from the field, including 6-of-8 from downtown, while adding 10 rebounds, 3 assists and a blocked shot.
Cleveland has scored at least 115 points in winning 4 in a row since losing a home-and-home with the Atlanta Hawks.
The Heat topped the Phoenix Suns 121-111 Saturday as a 5.5-point favorite as the Over (224) cashed, Miami’s second straight win and cover. In fact, the Heat have won 3 in a row at home, while going 5-1 straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) in the previous 6 contests. The Over is 4-1 in the past 5 home outings, too.
Miami won 3 of 4 meetings last season, and the Over cashed in each of the games it won. Cleveland’s only win in the series came in South Florida on Dec. 8, 2023, winning 111-99 as a 1.5-point favorite as the Under (223) hit.
Cavaliers at Heat odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NBA odds. Lines last updated at 6:31 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Cavaliers -155 (bet $155 to win $100) | Heat +125 (bet $100 to win $125)
- Against the spread: Cavaliers -3.5 (-105) | Heat +3.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 223.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Cavaliers at Heat key injuries
Cavaliers
(not yet submitted – below was for Saturday’s game)
- G Isaac Okoro (knee) questionable
- G Craig Porter Jr. (illness) questionable
- F Max Strus (ankle) out
Heat
(not yet submitted – below was for Friday’s game)
- G Pelle Larsson (ankle) questionable
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Cavaliers at Heat picks and predictions
Prediction
Cavaliers 116, Heat 111
Moneyline
Backing the Cavaliers (-155) is OK if you’re a very conservative bettor concerned about laying the points on a team playing a second straight game on the road in 2 days.
However, Cleveland is 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS in 4 games this season when playing on no rest.
While the Heat (+135) have been better at home lately, they’re a single game under .500, and as such, they’re a bit more erratic.
Against the spread
The CAVALIERS -3.5 (-105) are worth playing lightly, as they have covered 3 of the past 4 outings when playing the second end of a back-to-back.
While the Heat +3.5 (-115) are 5-1 ATS in the past 6 home games, they’re just 3-4 ATS in the past 7 games since Nov. 26.
Cleveland has been a much better team on the whole, and despite Miami having its way with the Cavs last season, bet the road side.
Over/Under
OVER 223.5 (-115) is worth a look in this twilight battle Sunday.
The Over has cashed in 4 of the past 5 games for the Heat, including 3 in a row at home. The Over is also 4-1 in the past 5 for the Heat at Kaseya Center.
The Cavs have cashed high in each of the past 2 outings, while going 8-4 across the past 12 contests.
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