The Cavaliers, still losers but no longer a shameful bunch, will venture into the lion’s den known as the AmericanAirlines Arena tonight to square off against enemy No. 1 Lebron James and his fellow Heat. This evening’s game, which marks the second clash of the season between these two Eastern Conference rivals, is scheduled to tip off at 7:30pm ET. The latest NBA Odds have Miami listed as a -13 against the spread favorite; the game total is set at 196.5 points.
Cleveland is a long way from regaining the lofty spot it occupied during the Lebron years, but the Cavaliers at least look like they know what they are doing, for the most part, this season. The team, now 9-13 overall, has suffered through just one extended losing streak (four games); however, it has only recorded back-to-back wins on one occasion thus far.
The Cavaliers will get an opportunity to change that tonight as they surprised the defending champion Mavericks on Saturday night at the Quicken Loans Center. Cleveland won the game 91-88, despite connecting on a mere 39.8 percent of its field goal attempts. The Cavs were able to get off 93 shots to Dallas’ 67 and they out-rebounded the Mavericks 46 to 39 while forcing 21 turnovers.
Rookie guard Kyrie Irving and forward Anderson Varejao led the way for Cleveland, Irving posting 20 points and seven assists while Varejao notched a 17 point, 17 rebound double-double.
Those two will need to show up big this evening if the Cavaliers are going to stop the Southeast leading Heat. Miami, after recording wins over Philadelphia and Toronto over the weekend, now sits at 18-6 overall. James and Dywane Wade combined for 100 points in those two victories, which were split between the road and home.
The Heat have also won seven of their last eight games and 11 of their 13 games at the AmericanAirlines Arena this season. Making matters even worse for Cleveland is its 1-4 record against Miami since James made the move to South Florida. But then again, most people are not anticipating a Cavaliers victory here; they are more concerned about a potential cover.
On that front Cleveland may pose a threat, but Miami has been solid against the number in tonight’s situation, going 7-3 against the spread and 9-1 straight up in its last 10 games as a home favorite with a total between 195 and 200.
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Cleveland Cavaliers vs Miami Heat 2012 NBA Picks: Provided by TopBet.com
Cleveland Cavaliers +13 (-110), Over 196.5 (-110), +850 (Moneyline)
Miami Heat -13 (-110), Under 196.5 (-110), -1300 (Moneyline)
