NBA predictions: Cavaliers vs. Heat odds, picks, spread, over/under, injury report for Friday, Dec. 8
The Cleveland Cavaliers (12-9) will meet the Miami Heat (12-9) Friday evening with both teams sitting near the middle of the Eastern Conference standings. The Cavaliers and Heat met a few weeks ago, with Miami dominating Cleveland 129-96. The Cavaliers are 4-2 since that encounter and have won their last two, while the Heat have gone 2-4 since then but won their last game over the Raptors.
Caris LeVert is out for this game with a knee injury, while Evan Mobley is questionable for the Cavaliers with knee soreness. The Heat will be without Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Haywood Highsmith.
The Cavaliers are 2-point favorites at DraftKings Sportsbook, with the total coming in at 220. Cleveland is -130 on the moneyline, while Miami is +110.
Cavaliers vs. Heat, 8 p.m. ET
Pick ATS: Cavaliers -2
The Cavaliers are 8-11-2 ATS this season, while the Heat check in at 10-11 ATS. Cleveland is 4-4-1 ATS as the road team, while Miami is one of the worst home teams against the number at 2-6. Despite getting dropped by 33 points in the first meeting between these teams, the Cavaliers are playing better basketball at the moment and have had more success on the road. Cleveland is 6-3 straight up on the road, while Miami is just 5-3 straight up at home. With Adebayo and Herro still sidelined, look for the Cavaliers to get some revenge for the last game and get the win tonight.
Over/Under: Under 220
The first matchup went over this number but I don’t think we’ll have another blowout like that here. The Cavaliers are actually 6-3 to the over as the road team, while the Heat are 5-3 to the over at home this season. Cleveland has gone under the total in four of its last five games. The Heat are 3-2 on overs in the last five, although two of those games came against the Pacers who are one of the most over-friendly teams in the NBA. The Cavaliers are ninth in defensive rating and Miami is a league-average side in the same category at 15. On the flip side, the Heat are 12th in offensive rating while the Cavaliers are 23rd. Even though this is a lower total, I think we see a better defensive effort from Cleveland after what happened in the last meeting. Miami’s injuries will continue to hurt the Heat offensively. I like the under tonight.
