NBA Predictions: Miami Heat vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

Miami Heat vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Tuesday, 3/18/14, 7:00 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Miami -9
Current Betting Line: Miami -10.5
Opening Total: 195.5
Current Total: 196
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

76ers Heat NBA Playoffs Game 4 Preview — The Miami Heat have won nine consecutive games against the Cleveland Cavaliers

Miami snapped its two-game losing streak in picking up a 113-104 victory over the Houston rockets as 5.5-point home favorites last time out, while going OVER the betting total for a second consecutive contest. The Heat are led by the play of forward LeBron James, who is averaging 26.7 points per game, which is important to consider when making your NBA predictions. The team is 19-13 SU on the road ,including a 10-9 mark when taking on Eastern Conference opponents. Miami is 10-4 SU and 6-8 ATS as road favorites of 9.5 to 12 points the last two-plus seasons.

The Heat have captured wins in their first two meetings with the Cavaliers and will look to sweep this season series for a third consecutive season. Miami enters this affair on a nine-game winning streak against Cleveland—tying its third-longest current winning streak against any league opponent. The team has compiled a dominating 33-4 SU record this season when holding opponents to under 100 points.

Cleveland had its two-game winning streak snapped last time out, as it dropped a 102-80 decision to the Los Angeles Clippers as 11.5-point road underdogs Sunday, while going UNDER the betting total for a second consecutive contest. The Cavaliers are dangerous on the glass if the Heat fail to box out, as they rank fourth in the league in grabbing 12.5 offensive rebounds per game, which can’t be ignored when looking over the NBA betting lines. Cleveland is 2-5 SU and 4-3 ATS as home underdogs of 9.5 to 12 points the last two-plus seasons.

The Cavaliers are 15-17 SU at Quicken Loans Arena this season, including a 9-10 mark versus conference foes. On the season, Cleveland’s bench is averaging 35.1 points per game—outscoring opponents in that all-important category in 42 of 67 contests. Guard Dion Waiters is one player to watch in this matchup, as he’s averaging 19.6 points on 50 percent shooting in five all-time meetings versus Miami.