Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat: Odds, Analysis, NBA Betting Pick
The Cleveland Cavaliers (44-29) will go for their sixth straight victory Tuesday when they visit the Miami Heat (39-35) as small road favorites. The Cavaliers are 4-0 both straight up and against the spread since head coach Tyronn Lue took a leave of absence to deal with a personal illness.
NBA point spread: The Cavaliers opened as four-point favorites; the total is at 218.5, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark (line updates and matchup report).
NBA betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 116.2-112.7, Cavaliers (NBA picks on every game).
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Why the Cavaliers can cover the spread
Cleveland still has an outside shot to catch the Boston Celtics for the second seed in the Eastern Conference, which would earn home-court advantage in a potential second-round playoff series.
Regardless, the Cavaliers have come together once again despite dealing with some adversity due to Lue being out. It has also helped that Kevin Love is back in the lineup, as he coincidentally returned in the first game without Lue, averaging a little more than 20 points and 10 rebounds in the last four as well. Love's presence gives the team a much-needed consistent No. 2 scorer behind LeBron James.
Why the Heat can cover the spread
The Heat are hoping to break a two-game skid here at home after losing their last two on the road to the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers, two likely playoff teams. Miami is safely sitting in the eighth and final playoff spot in the East right now but would like to move up as high as fourth in order to avoid a first-round matchup with Cleveland, Boston or the Toronto Raptors.
The Heat trail the Philadelphia 76ers by 4.5 games for the No. 4 seed, which is less of a gap than the Cavaliers have for the No. 2 seed. They are riding a six-game home winning streak SU and ATS, according to the OddsShark NBA Database, and have not lost at American Airlines Arena since March 1.
Smart betting pick
Miami has lost the past two meetings with Cleveland following a three-game series winning streak, and this matchup is equally large for both teams. The best bet in this game might just be under the total because it has cashed in three of the last four meetings, and there should be a playoff-type atmosphere in Miami favoring defense.
NBA betting trends
Cleveland is 4-1 ATS in its last five games.
The total has gone over in four of Cleveland's last five games.
The total has gone over in 15 of Miami's last 22 games.
All NBA odds and betting trends courtesy of Bleacher Report’s official odds partner, OddsShark. Check out OddsShark on Twitter and Instagram or head to YouTube for more betting picks and analysis on this week's top games. You can also download the free odds tracker app.
