What To Expect In Final Cleveland Cavaliers-Miami Heat Matchup
Cleveland looks to split its regular-season series against Miami with a victory tonight.
Two nights ago, the Cleveland Cavaliers began their two-game road trip with a 104-91 defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Tonight, the Wine and Gold look for their 44th win of the season when they face the Miami Heat for the second time in three games.
Here are four things to expect in the fourth and final matchup between these two teams this regular season.
1. Cleveland Sharing the Ball
Cleveland recorded 30 assists as a team against the Heat this past Wednesday night.
The Wine and Gold are averaging 27.7 assists per game so far this season, which ranks 10th in the NBA.
2. Garland Draining Plenty of Threes
Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland’s 60 three-pointers since the NBA All-Star Break are tied for the most in the league.
Although he did not make a three-pointer for just the sixth time this season in Cleveland’s most recent game, the 24-year-old shot 5-for-12 (41.7%) from deep against the Heat this past Wednesday night. Garland has averaged 2.3 triples per game on a 38.9% clip in three contests against Miami this season.
Mar 20, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) follows through on his three-point basket in the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
3. Rozier Rising to the Occasion
Heat guard Terry Rozier had one of his most productive games since the team acquired him in January.
The Northeast Ohio native scored 24 points this past Wednesday night, including nine points in the contest’s final 1:24, and shot 5-for-6 (83.3%) from beyond the arc.
4. Cavaliers Seeking a Split
The Wine and Gold would split their regular-season series against Miami with a victory tonight.
In three meetings against the Heat this season, the Cavaliers have been outscored by an average margin of 8.0 points per game. But they have outrebounded the opposition by an average of 2.4 rebounds per game.