Cleveland Cavaliers vs Miami Heat: Prediction, Starting Lineups and Betting Tips

One of the six games on the NBA schedule for Sunday is the Cleveland Cavaliers vs Miami Heat. It's the fourth and final matchup between the two teams this season, with the Heat looking to bag the series. Miami won both games in Cleveland, while the Cavs won at the Kaseya Center on Dec. 8.

The most recent meeting between the Cavs and the Heat happened a few days ago at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. It was a very close game, but Miami pulled off a close 107-104 win. Jimmy Butler led the way with 30 points, four rebounds, five assists and four steals.

Cleveland will look to prevent losing the season series and snap a two-game skid. They have not lost a season series against the Heat since getting swept during the 2020-21 season. Sunday's game is the 130th regular-season meeting between the two teams.

Also Read: Jaime Jaquez Jr. recalls hilarious Jimmy Butler incident involving an Ed Sheeran song

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Miami Heat preview, prediction, odds and betting tips

The Cleveland Cavaliers vs Miami Heat game is on Sunday at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. It starts at 6:00 p.m. EST and will be televised on Bally Sports Ohio and Bally Sports Sun.

Moneyline: Cavaliers (+155) vs Heat (-175)

Spread: Cavaliers +4.5 (-110) vs Heat -4.5 (-110)

Total (O/U): Cavaliers o203 (-110) vs Heat u203 (-110)

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Miami Heat preview

The Cleveland Cavaliers are No. 3 in the Eastern Conference despite losing their last two games. The Cavs have sustained their competitiveness and place in the standings despite being ravaged by injuries recently.

Meanwhile, the Miami Heat have also done the same with injuries in the last couple of months. The Heat are in seventh spot, with the Philadelphia 76ers creeping up behind them. They have a shot at a top-6 finish but need to get as many wins as possible.

Also Read: NBA fans mock Jimmy Butler after bold claim on Pelicans doesn't age well

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Miami Heat starting lineups, subs and rotation

The Cleveland Cavaliers have five players on their injury report, including starters Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus and Evan Mobley. Mitchell and Strus are out, while Mobley is questionable. If Mobley is cleared to play, here's how the Cavs might line up:

PG: Darius Garland | SG: Caris LeVert | SF: Isaac Okoro | PF: Evan Mobley | C: Jarrett Allen

J.B. Bickerstaff's current rotation also consists of players like Sam Merrill, Tristan Thompson, Georges Niang and Marcus Morris Sr.

Meanwhile, the Miami Heat have six players on their injury report. Here's how Erik Spoelstra could cope with the injuries and use the following lineup:

PG: Patty Mills | SG: Terry Rozier | SF: Jimmy Butler | PF: Nikola Jovic | C: Bam Adebayo

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Miami Heat betting tips

Jimmy Butler has an over/under of 22.5 points. He has scored 23 points or more twice in his last five games, but he will likely be making plays for his teammates on Sunday. Take the risk and bet on Butler to score less than 22.5 points.

Darius Garland is favored to go under 20.5 points despite being the likely first option in the absence of Donovan Mitchell. Garland has not gone over 20.5 points in his last four games, so bet on him to continue the streak.

Also Read: How long is Donovan Mitchell out for Cavaliers? Cleveland's latest update on 5x NBA All-Star's injury

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Miami Heat prediction

The Miami Heat are the slight favorites to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Heat might be short-handed but have homecourt advantage. The Cavs are also hobbled by injuries, so it's going to be a very close matchup.

Oddsmakers expect the Heat to win and the Cavaliers to cover the +4.5 spread. The total is expected to go over 203 points.

Also Read: Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff blames sports betting for receiving death threats from Cleveland fans