The Cleveland Cavaliers travel to South Beach looking to avenge their previous loss to the Miami Heat.

Catch the game Thursday, 30 January, at 8:30 AM, Manila time.

AWAY: Cleveland Cavaliers (37-9, 15-6 AWAY)

Projected starting five:

  • Darius Garland
  • Donovan Mitchell
  • Max Strus
  • Evan Mobley
  • Jarrett Allen

The Cavaliers are back on the win column after a sudden three-game skid, where they kept falling short and lost by a combined total of eight points. They beat the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, 110-91.

It’s good that the Cavs halted their losing streak before tomorrow’s contest. Such a win should be good for their confidence as they are aiming to get back at the Heat, who beat them, 122-113, last December 9th, also in Miami. 

Leading scorer Donovan Mitchell should be eyeing to be better as he only shot 5-for-16 in the defeat. Either way, though, as evident as to how superb the team has been all season, Mitchell will be backed up by a solid core. Facilitator Darius Garland, twin towers Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, wing Max Strus, and quality back-up PG Ty Jerome can all pick up the slack.

With such depth and talent, and a veteran coaching staff, Cleveland has consistently sat top 2 in points per game (121.8 PPG), offensive rating, and net rating (+9.7) on the season. We should continue seeing why tomorrow.

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HOME: Miami Heat (23-22, 12-9 HOME)

Projected starting five:

  • Terry Rozier
  • Tyler Herro
  • Haywood Highsmith
  • Bam Adebayo
  • Kel’el Ware

With the Jimmy Butler saga getting hotter and hotter by the day, the Heat are now gunning for a third-straight victory. They beat the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday, 106-97, and the Orlando Magic on Tuesday in double overtime, 125-119.

As per usual this season, the Heat spotlight will shine the brightest on Tyler Herro, who’s having a career year. His 24.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.4 assists on 47.4% shooting from the floor (40% from three) are all career-bests. Rhythm and momentum are also present as he blasted 30 points and 12 dimes vs. ORL, and dropped 34-6-7 in the aforementioned win vs. CLE.

Despite his disappointing campaign (-4.5 PPG and -6.2 in FG% from last season), Bam Adebayo will remain a focal point of the attack. He had 16-13-6 on the Cavs last month.

Duncan Robinson, Terry Rozier, Nikola Jovic, Haywood Highsmith, Jaime Jaquez Jr. (day-to-day), and rookie Kel’El Ware will share the secondary spotlight once again, although Ware has some momentum going as he has 16.1 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in his last eight outings.

Miami is 6-5 in their last 11 games with an even 110.1 points scored and points allowed per game.

PICKS:

Spread: Cavaliers (-7.5)

Over/Under: 228

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