Cleveland Cavaliers vs Miami Heat Predictions & Player Props [Thursday, April 25]

After handily winning Game 1 by a score of 121-100, the Cleveland Cavaliers can take a commanding 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat when they host Game 2 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Thursday night. A victory would put the Cavaliers up 2-0 before the series heads to South Beach.

Game Info

• Date: Thursday, April 25

• Time: 7:30 PM ET

• Venue: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH

• Where to Watch: ESPN, NBA League Pass

Betting Odds

Team	Spread	Moneyline	Total Points
Cleveland Cavaliers	-9.5	-430	O/U 212.5
Miami Heat	+9.5	+340	O/U 212.5

(Odds are subject to change)

Preview

Cleveland Cavaliers Preview

The top-seeded Cavaliers opened their playoff account in fine fashion, advancing past Miami by 21 points in Game 1. Donovan Mitchell (30 pts) and Darius Garland (27 pts) were carrying the load, but Ty Jerome played huge off the bench with 28.

Coach Kenny Atkinson’s team dominated throughout, leading for 47 of 48 minutes. Cleveland’s offensive firepower has been on full display all season — they finished atop the East in points per game during the regular season — and now they’ll look to keep that momentum going into Game 2 after going 10-3 at home in their last 13.

Probable Starters: Garland, Mitchell; Strus, Mobley; Allen

Miami Heat Preview

Fatigued after earning two backbreaking play-in victories on the road, Miami just ran out of steam in the fourth quarter of Game 1. Despite good games from Bam Adebayo (23 pts) and Tyler Herro (22 pts), the Heat were unable to keep up with the relentless scoring from the Cavs.

With a fourth straight road game now behind them and a white-hot Cleveland team ahead, Erik Spoelstra’s undermanned squad will have to dig deep to avoid falling behind 0-2. With Kevin Love still out and Terry Rozier doubtful, the burden will again fall on Herro and Adebayo to shoulder the scoring burden.

Probable Starters: Herro, Burks; Wiggins, Adebayo; Ware

Key Stats

• Cavaliers have 3 consecutive victories against Heat by a total of 46 points.

• The Cavaliers have gone 10-3 over their past 13 games at home.

• Ty Jerome had 28 points off the bench in Game 1.

• The Heat are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 playoff games as an underdog.

• Cavs finished first in points per game this season.

  
  

  

  
  

Player Props

• Donovan Mitchell Over 26.5 Points: Mitchell was sharp in Game 1 and will continue to be Cleveland’s main scoring option against a backcourt defense that should be no match for him in this series.

• Bam Adebayo Over 9.5 Rebounds: With little help in the paint, Adebayo will have to dominate the glass if the Heat are to be competitive in Game 2.

Final Prediction

Cleveland demonstrated in Game 1 why they’re the No. 1 seed in the East, and with that momentum, home-court advantage and superior depth, they’re poised to double their lead in the series. Prediction: Cavaliers 116, Heat 101 Best Bet: Cavaliers -9.5