Heat vs. Celtics Betting Line – October 30
Carrie Stroup here with your Heat vs. Celtics betting line for Friday night’s game. Sportsbook.ag Line: Cleveland -5.5, Total: 200
MIAMI HEAT (1-0) at CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (1-1)
The Cavaliers look to build off a 30-point blowout when they play their home opener versus the Heat on Friday night.
Both teams enter this contest fresh off double-digit wins, with Miami taking out Charlotte 104-94 in its season opener and covering the 6.5-point spread. Cleveland lost 97-95 in Chicago to begin its the season on Tuesday, but bounced back in a big way on Wednesday with a 106-76 pounding of 5-point favorite Memphis.
The Cavs are expected to win on Friday, and they were 41-36 ATS (53%) in the favorite role last season, including 24-21 ATS (53%) when giving points at home. The Heat were not a great wager as an underdog last season at 21-23-2 ATS (48%), which included a 14-16-1 ATS (47%) record when getting points on the road.
None of the four games these teams played last season were close, as the home team won and covered each time with double-digit victories. Miami won its two games by scores of 101-91 and 106-92 while Cleveland won by at least 20 points in wins of 113-93 and 114-88.
Bettors expecting the Heat to buck this trend and cover on the road can point to their 25-10 ATS mark (71%) on the road after a game with 5 or less offensive rebounds under Erik Spoelstra. But banking on LeBron James to once again crush his former team at home can look at the Cavaliers' strong 11-5 ATS record (69%) in the past three seasons after allowing 85 points or less.
Both teams are in good health to start the season with no significant injuries for Miami, but the club might choose to rest C Amar'e Stoudemire on Friday. Cleveland will continue to play minus PG Kyrie Irving (knee) and SG Iman Shumpert (wrist), who are both out indefinitely.
Miami did not have an explosive offense last season when it averaged a paltry 94.7 PPG, which was fourth-lowest in the NBA. Although the club connected on a solid 45.6% FG last season (11th-best in NBA), it shot poorly from long range (33.5% threes, 7th-worst in league). But the Heat shot lights-out on Wednesday, torching the Hornets for 49% FG, 60% threes (12-of-20) and 95% FT (20-of-21).
PF Chris Bosh was the best player on the court with 21 points and 10 rebounds, while star SG Dwyane Wade produced 20 points on an efficient 7-of-16 FG and 6-of-6 free throws. Bosh had only 15 points on 5-of-17 FG in his lone meeting with Cleveland last season, but Wade was much more effective with 23.3 PPG on 52% FG in three head-to-head matchups.
These two players are always expected to carry the scoring load for the Heat, but reserve SG Gerald Green really opened some eyes against Charlotte on Wednesday with 19 points on 7-of-15 shooting, including 5-of-8 from three-point range.
Miami's defense also played great in that season opener, limiting the Hornets to 94 points on 39% FG and 25% threes (6-of-24). Last season, the Heat held opponents to 97.3 PPG (6th-best in league) on 45.4% FG (19th in NBA) and 35.3% threes (20th in league), but allowed the Cavaliers to shoot a blistering 56% FG (40% threes) and 50% FG (43% threes) in their two trips to Quicken Loans Arena last season.
The Cavaliers were a great offensive team last season with 100.5 PPG (6th in NBA) on 44% FG (13th in league) and 37.9% threes (9th in NBA). Cleveland struggled to score against the Bulls defense in the season opener (95 points on 40% FG and 31% threes), but really turned things around on Wednesday with 106 points on 49% FG and 45% threes against a usually-stingy Grizzlies defense.
SF LeBron James is leading the team with 18.5 PPG and also has 8.5 RPG, 5.0 APG and 2.0 SPG. PF Kevin Love is close behind with 17.5 PPG, 10.5 RPG and 3.5 APG. Both of these players shot at a strong 48% FG clip against Miami last season, with James pouring in 24.3 PPG, 5.8 RPG and 6.5 APG, and Love posting a modest 13.0 PPG and 5.5 RPG in his two meetings with the Heat.
The Cleveland defense is off to a great start this season in holding opponents to 86.5 PPG on 39% FG and 26% threes. Last season, the Cavs were not nearly as stingy, allowing opponents to score 98.7 PPG (13th in NBA) on 45.6% FG (20th in league), but did defend the three-point line very well (34.3% threes, 9th in NBA). With Miami shooting so well from downtown to start the year, Cleveland must do a great job of challenging jump-shooters.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
