Following Jimmy Butler’s indefinite third suspension of the season, the new-look Miami Heat are finally starting to build momentum. However, they will now be faced with the difficult task of holding off the top seeded Cleveland Cavaliers.
Miami has built a brief two-game win streak, and coming off one of the greatest wins of the season in a double-OT thriller against the Orlando Magic. The win brought them back over the .500 mark and propelled into the East’s sixth seed again. The Heat got dominate performances out of their newly formed trio of Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware.
But the Cavs have looked dominant all season long, sporting a 37-9 overall record and in the midst of one of the franchises greatest starts of all-time. They are coming off a 110-91 victory themselves over the Detroit Pistons.
Despite Cleveland’s terrific 2024-25 campaign, they have hit a bit of a rough patch— going just 5-5 over their last 10 matchups.
The Heat have won five of their last six over the Cavs, including an impressive victory against them back in December 8. In that game, Herro led the way with a 34-point explosion to go along with 7 assists and 6 rebounds.
The Cavs will have to get the job done tonight without the services of their starting point guard Darius Garland, who is listed as out for rest.
Injury Report (at the time of this publishing):
Miami Heat:
- Jimmy Butler (suspension) — OUT
- Josh Richardson (heel) — OUT
- Isaiah Stevens (g-league) — OUT
- Dru Smith (achilles) — OUT
Cleveland Cavaliers:
- Sam Merrill (illness) — QUESTIONABLE
- Caris LeVert (wrist) — OUT
- Darius Garland (rest) — OUT
- Isaac Okoro (shoulder) — OUT
- Dean Wade (knee) — OUT
- JT Thor (g-league) — OUT
- Luke Travers (g-league) — OUT
Projected Starting 5 (subject to change):
Miami Heat:
- Tyler Herro, G
- Duncan Robinson, G
- Haywood Highsmith, F
- Bam Adebayo, C
- Kel’el Ware, C
Cleveland Cavaliers:
- Jaylon Tyson, G
- Donovan Mitchell, G
- Max Strus, F
- Evan Mobley, F
- Jarrett Allen, C
Broadcast Info:
- Tipoff: 7:30 PM EST
- TV: Fanduel Sports Network Sun
- Radio: AM 560 Sports WQAM & The HEAT Radio Network (Jason Jackson)
- Spanish Radio: WAQI 710 AM & The HEAT Spanish Radio Network (José Pañeda)
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Now that twin towers of Cavs got a good matchup with Bam+Ware. Go Heat!
The Heat have a shot as Cleveland is missing a starter and a couple other rotation pieces.
darius garland got nobody to cover him glad hes out
Have to keep the momentum going. Get another W and take it to a 3 game win streak, trade Jimmy, something, profit.