Cavaliers vs. Heat - NBA Game Preview - March 10, 2023

The Miami Heat and the Cleveland Cavaliers will face each other on March 10, 2023, in a highly anticipated matchup between the NBA's top two defenses. Both teams are coming off losses and are looking to bounce back.

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers are currently fourth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 42-26. They have gone 26-13 against Eastern Conference opponents and rank sixth in the conference with 25.0 assists per game led by Darius Garland averaging 7.9. Evan Mobley is scoring 16.0 points per game and averaging 9.0 rebounds for the Cavaliers. Donovan Mitchell is averaging 3.6 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Cleveland. The Cavaliers won the last matchup against the Heat 104-100 on March 9.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are currently led by shooting guard Donovan Mitchell in points, with an average of 27.4 points per game, and he also leads the team in steals, with 1.5 per game. Point guard Darius Garland is the team leader in assists, with an average of 7.9 per game, while center Jarrett Allen leads in rebounds, with an average of 9.8 per game, and power forward Evan Mobley leads in blocks, with an average of 1.4 per game.

Looking at the individual player stats, it is clear that Donovan Mitchell is the team's top scorer and primary offensive threat. He is averaging 27.4 points per game, which is an impressive feat, and he is shooting 47.7% from the field, including 38.3% from beyond the arc. Darius Garland is also having a solid season, with an average of 22.0 points per game and a team-leading 7.9 assists per game. Evan Mobley has been a standout rookie for the Cavaliers, averaging 16.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game.

Other notable players on the team include center Jarrett Allen, who is averaging 14.5 points and 9.8 rebounds per game, and shooting guard Caris LeVert, who is averaging 11.4 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. The team also has veteran players like Kevin Love and Danny Green, who provide valuable experience and leadership.

Overall, the Cavaliers have a balanced team with a mix of young talent and veteran leadership. While they may not be among the top teams in the league, they have shown promise and are a team to watch as they continue to develop and grow.

Miami Heat

The Miami Heat are currently seventh in the Eastern Conference with a record of 35-32. They are at the bottom of the Eastern Conference averaging just 108.3 points per game. Jimmy Butler is averaging 22.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.9 steals for the Heat. Bam Adebayo is averaging 18.9 points over the last 10 games for Miami. The Heat are 18-22 against conference opponents and have lost their last game against the Cavaliers.

Looking at the Miami Heat's stats for the 2022-23 NBA season, it's clear that Jimmy Butler has been the team's leading scorer, averaging 22.1 points per game. In addition to his scoring, Butler has also been the team's leader in assists with an average of 5.2 per game, and steals with an average of 1.9 per game. Bam Adebayo, the team's starting center, has been dominant on the boards, leading the team in rebounds with an average of 9.5 per game.

Tyler Herro, the team's starting point guard, has also been a key contributor to the Heat's success this season, averaging 20.3 points per game. Herro has also been efficient from beyond the arc, shooting 38.2% from three-point range. Veteran point guard Kyle Lowry has been a solid addition to the Heat's roster, averaging 12.0 points and 3.2 assists per game.

On the defensive end, Adebayo has been a force in the paint, leading the team in blocks with an average of 0.8 per game. The Heat have also been a solid defensive team overall, with a defensive rating of 105.7, which is second-best in the NBA.

One notable addition to the Heat's roster this season has been Victor Oladipo, who has played in 34 games and averaged 10.4 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. Although he has dealt with injuries throughout his career, Oladipo has shown flashes of the talent that made him an All-Star in the past.

Overall, the Miami Heat have a well-rounded roster with several key contributors on both ends of the floor. With Butler and Adebayo leading the way, the Heat will look to make a deep playoff run and potentially compete for a championship.

Betting Trends and Public Betting Data

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 6-4 in their last 10 games, while the Miami Heat are 3-7 in their last 10 games. The total has gone under in 6 of Cleveland's last 8 games, and the total has gone under in 5 of Miami's last 5 games.

According to KingPin.pro's public betting data, 60% of the bets are on the Cavaliers to cover the spread, while 40% are on the Heat.

Prediction

The Miami Heat have struggled to score points, and their defense has been inconsistent lately. On the other hand, the Cleveland Cavaliers have been playing well on both ends of the floor and are coming off a win against the Heat. The Cavaliers have the momentum and the better overall record.

Pick: Cavaliers (-3.5) CLICK HERE FOR MY PREMIUM PICKS