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The Cleveland Cavaliers (37-9) and the Miami Heat (23-22) meet Wednesday at Kaseya Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 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: Heat lead 1-0; Miami won 122-113 as a 2.5-point underdog Dec. 8 in South Florida as the Over (223) cashed
Miami has won 3 in a row in this series, covering in each as the Over cashed in all 3 games. In fact, Miami is 5-1 straight up (SU) in the past 6 meetings, covering each of the games it has won. The Over is also 5-1 in that 6-game span, cashing high in each Miami win.
Cleveland picked up a 110-91 win over the Detroit Pistons last time out on Monday, cashing as a 10.5-point favorite as the Under (235.5) cashed. That halted a 3-game loss and non-cover skid, its longest outright losing streak of the season.
Miami has suspended F Jimmy Butler indefinitely after he left a team shootaround upon learning that he would not be starting. He was already suspended this season for conduct detrimental to the team, and it is likely his time in South Florida is over.
The Heat have won the past 2 games, while also covering, although Miami is 3-5 SU and against the spread (ATS) in the previous 8 outings.
Cavaliers at Heat odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:29 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Cavaliers -300 (bet $300 to win $100) | Heat +240 (bet $100 to win $240)
- Against the spread (ATS): Cavaliers -7.5 (-105) | Heat +7.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 228.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Cavaliers at Heat key injuries
Cavaliers
- G Caris LeVert (wrist) out
- G Isaac Okoro (shoulder) out
- F Dean Wade (knee) out
Heat
- F Jimmy Butler (suspension) out
- F Jaime Jaquez Jr. (illness) probable
- G Josh Richardson (heel) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Cavaliers at Heat picks and predictions
Prediction
Heat 119, Cavaliers 114
Moneyline
The HEAT (+240) are worth a look for the chance to more than double up.
Miami has been a thorn in the side of the Cavaliers (-300), who have dropped 3 of the past 4 games, and Cleveland has lost 3 in a row to the Heat, too.
The Cavs are easily playing their worst basketball of the season, and even if you like Cleveland to win, you can’t risk 3 times your potential return.
Against the spread
The HEAT +7.5 (-115) are a solid play catching nearly 4 buckets, if you are a little more on the conservative side and you just can’t bring yourself to play Miami straight up.
The Cavaliers -7.5 (-105) covered last time out against the Pistons, but they’re just 1-3 ATS in the past 4 games, while posting a 4-6 ATS mark in the past 10 outings since Jan. 9.
And, again, Miami has covered 3 in a row, and 5 of the past 6, in this series.
Over/Under
OVER 228.5 (-105) is a solid play in this battle in South Florida.
For Miami, the Over has hit in 5 of the past 7 games since Jan. 15, and the total has ended up going high in 7 straight at home since Jan. 1.
As far as Cleveland is concerned, the Over is 2-1 in the past 3 games, while hitting at a 17-7 pace in the previous 24 outings, including the first meeting Dec. 8 in South Florida.
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