Cleveland Cavaliers vs Miami Heat prediction

Recent results

• Cleveland Cavaliers: 2 wins from the last 5, average margin 0.0 points (W 115–107 @ NY, L 112–124 @ CHA, L 97–109 v NY, W 119–95 v PHI, L 116–124 @ OKC).
• Miami Heat: 3 wins from the last 5, average margin −5.6 points (W 115–109 @ UTAH, W 114–108 @ SAC, L 100–120 @ GS, W 117–116 @ LAC, L 117–138 @ LAL).

This is the first meeting between these teams this season. Results are taken from final scores, most recent first.

Our pre-game preview

Cleveland Cavaliers are our pick on the road against the Miami Heat. The model gives them a 54% chance of winning, which makes this game close to a coin flip (under 55%).

On the rosters we expect, Cleveland Cavaliers rate as the stronger team (92.3 to 90.6 on our team-strength rating), and that is the main reason for the pick.

Recent form: Cleveland Cavaliers have been winning by 0.8 points a game, while Miami Heat have been losing by 1.2 points a game.

Injuries: Cleveland Cavaliers will be without Evan Mobley (32 min a game) and Sam Merrill (23 min a game) and Miami Heat will be without Pelle Larsson (30 min a game) and Klay Thompson (26 min a game). Players listed as unsure are counted by how likely they are to play.

Season so far: Cleveland Cavaliers are 7–7 and Miami Heat are 7–6.

This preview was written from the data we had before the game.