The Miami Heat (39-34) and Cleveland Cavaliers (45-28) will meet in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET from Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. The game will broadcast live on NBA TV.
The Cavaliers are 5.5-point favorites over the Heat on the spread (Cavaliers -5.5), with the over/under set at 242.5 total points. Cleveland is a -205 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Miami is +170 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Heat vs. Cavaliers predictions and NBA picks for Friday, March 27.
Heat vs Cavaliers Prediction, Pick
- Heat vs Cavaliers pick: Cavaliers -5.5 (-108)
My Cavaliers vs. Heat best bet is on Cleveland to cover the spread. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Heat vs Cavaliers Odds
| Heat Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+5.5 -112 | 242.5 -108o / -112u | +170 |
| Cavaliers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-5.5 -108 | 242.5 -108o / -112u | -205 |
Heat vs Cavaliers NBA Preview
Revenge spot for Cleveland? The Heat just won in Cleveland two nights ago, 120-103, in a much-needed upset victory as the race to avoid the play-in thickens.
However, even with that, Miami is tied with conference-mates Orlando and Charlotte at 39-34 for eighth place. This also means they are tied for 10th.
The Magic and Hornets both won yesterday, putting some added pressure on Miami, which snapped a five-game losing streak on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the Cavaliers are nearly locked into a top-four spot, but they don't have a ton of room for upward mobility with another loss tonight.
Following the Knicks' loss to Charlotte last night, the Cavs are 2.5 games behind New York, but are two back in the loss column and won't have the tiebreaker, most importantly.
Cleveland needs to go on a run to end the season for a better seed than four, but many would argue they'd be better served where they are, likely facing the less experienced Pistons in Round 2 than the Celtics, or the Knicks, for that matter.
Injuries for tonight are as follows:
For the Cavaliers, Jarrett Allen (knee) is questionable after missing 10 straight games.
However, the Cavs will remain without Jaylon Tyson (toe), Dean Wade (ankle) and Craig Porter Jr. (groin).
The Heat have Jaime Jaquez (ankle) listed as probable to play.
Heat vs Cavaliers Predictions, Betting Analysis
Cleveland's not good in these spots. After a loss, the Cavaliers 12-15 against the spread, tied for third worst in the league. As a home favorite, they are also 12-22 ATS, second worst in the league.
Yet, this should be a Cleveland bounce-back spot at home.
Earlier this year, Cleveland lost to the Heat in Miami, sat out many of their best players, and won and covered the second game in the Duplex two days later.
In fact, after losing the first of a two-game series, at the same site, they're 2-1 ATS in the second game.
I lean Cavs ATS here, but wait to see how the number moves. It's already jumped from 4.5 to 5.5, and you can't discount Miami keeping it close.
Pick: Cavaliers -5.5 (-108)
