Cavs vs. Heat preview and gamethread
Plus Kevin Love is back!
The Cleveland Cavaliers are currently looking to be the first team to clinch a postseason spot.
Who: Miami Heat (29-31) vs Cleveland Cavaliers (51-10)
Where: Rocket Arena, Cleveland OH
When: 7:00 p.m. EST
TV: ESPN, Fan Duel Sports Network
Line: Cavs -12
Expected Cavs starting lineup: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen
Cavs injury report: Emoni Bates - OUT (G League), Nae’Qwan Tomlin - OUT (G League), Luke Travers - OUT (G League)
Expected Heat starting lineup: Terry Rozier, Alec Burks, Tyler Herro, Kevin Love, Bam Adebayo
Heat injury report: Jaime Jaquez - OUT (ankle), Nikola Jovic - OUT (hand), Dru Smith - OUT (achilles), Kel’el Ware - OUT (knee), Andrew Wiggins - OUT (ankle), Tyler Herro - QUESTIONABLE (illness), Davion Mitchell -
What to watch for
Clinching Cavaliers?
The Cavaliers are rolling. You might not realize the level of dominance the Cavaliers have demonstrated this season. To keep you all informed, if the Cavaliers win tonight against the Heat, they can be the first team in the entire NBA to clinch a postseason spot.
Obviously, fans weren’t concerned about this team missing the postseason. However, it is a testament that this team has clinched their positioning in the beginning of March. For reference, the Celtics who were the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the 2023-2024 NBA season, achieving this milestone on March 14, 2024.
The Celtics lasts season were also dominant and finished 14 games ahead of second place. For the Cavaliers to clinch earlier than a dominant Celtics team really puts into perspective how the Cavaliers have stamped their presence on this season.
Kevin Love’s first Cleveland Homecoming Game
Yes, you read that correct. Kevin Love is expected to suit up for his first game in Cleveland since he became a member of the Miami Heat. What makes it so perplexing is that Love joined the Heat after the trade deadline in 2023. That makes almost two whole seasons have passed since Love last wore the wine and gold.
Love’s legacy started turbulent in Cleveland as he adjusted to his new role. From the center of the Timberwolves universe to one of LeBron’s soldiers in Cleveland, Love had an ever-morphing role. After being pivotal in the 2016 NBA Finals and in years to follow, Love created a legacy in which his personality and play spoke for themselves.
Throughout the turbulent years post-LeBron, Love was a mainstay and the sole building block for years in a row. Unfortunately, Love’s tenure with Cleveland came to an end when the Cavaliers rotation tightened up as their playoff aspirations grew. It appears Love still has the hearts of the Cavaliers’ faithful, so it will be interesting to see how the fans treat this introduction of a future Hall of Famer.