Friday, December 9, 2016

Quicken Loans Arena

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The Miami Heat travel to Quicken Loans Arena to play the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, December 9, 2016. The Heat come into this game with an overall record of 7-15. They are 5th in the Southeast Division. They currently have a point differential of -2.5 as they are averaging 97.3 points per game while giving up 99.7 per contest. The Cavaliers have an overall record of 15-5. They currently are 1st in the Central Division. They are averaging 111.1 points per game and surrendering 104.5, good for a point differential of 6.6.

Goran Dragic comes into this contest averaging 18 points per game while playing 33.5 minutes per night so far this season for the Heat. He pulls down 3.8 rebounds per game and dishes out 6.5 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage is currently at 79%. Hassan Whiteside averages 17.6 points per game in 33.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 0.7 assists per contest and 14.7 rebounds per game for Miami. His field goal percentage is 55% for the year while his free throw percentage is 54%.

Lebron James averages 23.9 points per game while playing 36.4 minutes per contest this year for the Cavaliers. He grabs 7.6 rebounds per game and has 9.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage currently is at 72%. Kyrie Irving averages 24.6 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 34 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.1 rebounds per contest and 4.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is 88%.

Miami averages 97.3 points per contest this season which ranks them 28th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -2.5 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a team which has them ranked 26th. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 20th in the league. They average 54.1 rebounds per game and 20 assists per game which ranks them 6th and 27th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 7th with 12.9 per game. The Heat allow 99.7 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 6th in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 8th and 17th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 53.9 rebounds a game which ranks 22nd and they give up 20.5 assists per contest which puts them in 3rd place in the league. They force 13.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 21st in the league.

Cleveland averages 111.1 points per game this year which ranks them 3rd in the league. Their average scoring margin is 6.6 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team which has them sitting in the 10th spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 40% which is good for 1st in the NBA. They average 54.2 rebounds per game and 22.6 assists per contest which ranks them 5th and 10th respectively. In the turnover department the Cavaliers rank 14th with 13.8 per game. The Cavaliers allow 104.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 16th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc ranking them 16th and 19th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 51.6 rebounds a game which ranks 12th and they give up 23.8 assists per contest which puts them in 27th place in the league. The Cavaliers force 12.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 26th in the NBA.

The Heat have an offensive rating of 103.1 and a defensive rating of 105.7. In terms of pace they average 93.9 possessions per 48 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 48%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 51% and they shoot 3 pointers on 29% of their shots. Miami turns the ball over an average of 11.9 times per 100 possessions and they force 12.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 49%.

The Cavaliers rating on offense is 114.5 and they have a defensive rating of 107.7. They get 97 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 54%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 58% and they attempt 3 pointers on 40% of their shot attempts. Cleveland turns the ball over on 12.5 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 11.6 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 50%.

Miami Heat Betting Trends

The Miami Heat are 10-12-0 against the spread

The Miami Heat are 10-12-0 against the over/under

Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Trends

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 8-11-1 against the spread

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 11-9-0 against the over/under

Miami Heat Injuries

12/07/16 F James Johnson Shoulder expected to miss next 2 games
12/07/16 G Josh Richardson Ankle expected to miss next 3 games
12/07/16 F Justise Winslow Wrist expected to miss next 2 games
12/07/16 F Luke Babbitt Hip expected to miss next 2 games
12/07/16 G Rodney McGruder Ankle injured last game, probable Friday vs Cleveland
11/30/16 G Dion Waiters Groin expected to miss 2-4 weeks
10/22/16 F Chris Bosh Blood Clot out for season

Cleveland Cavaliers Injuries

12/08/16 G J.R. Smith Knee "?" Friday vs. Miami

Josh's Pick: Take Cleveland -11.5

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