The Miami Heat, leaders of the Southeast Division, (7-3 Overall, 4-0 Conference) travel to Ohio to face the Cleveland Cavaliers (4-6 Overall, 4-5 Conference) their first conference matchup of the season.
The Heat head into tonight’s matchup after following a 117-108 win over the Detroit Pistons. Jimmy Butler and Rookie Kendrick Nunn both dropped 20 points in the win. Butler currently leads the team with 19.4 points per game.
The Cavs comes home after a heartbreaking 98-97 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Kevin Love put up 20 points in the loss. Colin Sexton currently leads the team with 18.7 points per game.
The Heat, however, is being compromised by the injury bug with question mark on key players. According to ESPN, Derrick Jones, KZ Okpala, Justise Winslow are all listed as out for tonight’s matchup. Tyler Herro and Goran Dragic are currently listed as Day-to-Day while Dion Waiters is serving his first game of this 10 game suspension from the team following is
The Cavs have listed John Henson, Ante Zizic and Dylan Windler as out, while Kevin Porter Junior Jr. and Matthew Dellavedova are listed as Day-to-Day.
Expect to see point guard duties to be shift possibly to Kendrick Nunn or Jimmy Butler if Dragic isn’t cleared by tip-off. Although Miami is favored, they have struggled on the road so far with a (3-3) record. Also, Kevin Love (18.5 ppg) and Colin Sexton will be key scoring options along with Tristan Thompson (16.5 ppg).
If you’re looking to see a high scoring game, then you’re in luck. Both teams average at least 100 points defensively, so defense is out of the question.
I do anticipate Miami do get stops when it counts, it just won’t be the entire game given the lack of depth due to injuries. Tipoff is at 6 p.m.
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