Miami Heat (37-45) vs Cleveland Cavaliers (64-18)
Game Info: Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 1:00 pm (Kaseya Center)
The Line: Betting Odds: Miami Heat +5.5 — Over/Under: 213
Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Preview
The Cleveland Cavaliers will be gunning for a 3-0 series lead after outlasting the Heat in a crucial 121-112 home win in Game 2 on Wednesday. Donovan Mitchell led the team with 30 points, six rebounds and six assists, Darius Garland added 21 points with nine assists while Evan Mobley chipped in with 20 points on seven of 10 shooting. As a team, the Cavaliers shot 47 percent from the field and 22 of 45 from the 3-point line as they exploded for 43 points in the second quarter to take a 19-point lead. This proved to be just enough to hold off a late rally from the Heat who cut the lead to just two points late in the fourth quarter.
Miami Heat Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Miami Heat will be hoping to take a stand at home after falling just short in a tough loss in Game 2 on Wednesday. Tyler Herro led the team with 33 points, six rebounds and five assists, Davion Mitchell added 18 points with six assists, Bam Adebayo tallied 11 points with 14 rebounds and nine assists, while Haywood Highsmith chipped in with 17 points on six of seven shooting. As a team, the Heat shot 51 percent from the field and 16 of 45 from the 3-point line as they got off to a poor start and trailed by as many as 19 points in the third quarter. Before they saw their rally come up short in the fourth quarter, where they were able to get to within two points at one stage.
Why the Miami Heat will win
- The home team has won each of the Cavaliers’ last nine Eastern Conference First Round games.
- The Cavaliers have lost each of their eight previous Saturday games at Kaseya Center.
- The Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six Eastern Conference First Round road games following a win.
- The Heat have covered the spread in 10 of their last 11 games against the Cavaliers at Kaseya Center following a loss.
Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win
- The Cavaliers have won 12 of their last 13 games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a losing record.
- The Heat have lost each of their last six playoff home games.
- The Heat have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four playoff home games.
- The favorites have covered the spread in 12 of the last 14 games between the Cavaliers and Heat at Kaseya Center.
Miami Heat Player Facts
- Duncan Robinson ranks 14th amongst qualified players for three-pointers made per 36 minutes (3.8) this season.
- Kel’el Ware ranks 17th amongst qualified players for rebounds per 36 minutes (12.0) this season.
Cleveland Cavaliers Player Facts
- De’Andre Hunter is one of only five players to have scored 35+ points off the bench in a game this season.
- Donovan Mitchell ranks 5th amongst qualified players for points per 36 minutes (27.4) this season.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Miami Heat Prediction
The Cavaliers could be slightly shorthanded for this one with Darius Garland listed as questionable due to a left toe sprain, while the Heat have ruled out Kevin Love, Terry Rozier and Isaiah Stevens again. The Cavaliers could be missing Garland, which would be significant, but they still have more than enough depth to cover for his absence in this game. The Heat will take plenty of confidence from the fact that they almost ran down a 19-point deficit in Game 2, but I don’t think they will be able to do much better than that. Maybe the Heat can keep this one close at home, but in the end, I have the Cavaliers getting the win and cover at the modest line.