Game Details:
Matchup: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat
Date & Time: Saturday, April 26, 2025 | 8:00 PM ET
Venue: Kaseya Center, Miami, FL
Betting Line: Heat -3.5 | Over/Under: 214.5

Key Storylines

Playoff Seeding on the Line: Both teams remain firmly in the Eastern Conference playoff race, making tonight’s clash critical. The Heat are looking to lock down a top-six seed, while the Cavaliers aim to avoid the play-in tournament.

Recent Form: Miami has won five of their last seven games, surging at the right time. Cleveland, however, has stumbled in recent weeks, losing four of their last six, raising concerns about their offensive consistency.

Key Injuries: Cleveland is dealing with some significant injuries. All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell is questionable with a hamstring strain, while Caris LeVert (knee) has already been ruled out. For Miami, Tyler Herro (foot) remains out, but Jimmy Butler is probable despite some minor back soreness.

Injury Report

Cleveland Cavaliers:
Questionable: Donovan Mitchell (hamstring)
Out: Caris LeVert (knee)

Miami Heat:
Out: Tyler Herro (foot)
Probable: Jimmy Butler (back)

Betting Trends

Against the Spread (ATS):
Cavaliers: 34-37-2 ATS this season
Heat: 39-34 ATS this season

Over/Under Trends:
The total has gone under in 38 of Cleveland’s 73 games.
The total has gone under in 40 of Miami’s 73 games.

Home/Road Splits:
The Cavaliers have struggled away from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, posting a 17-21 road record.
The Heat are a solid 22-16 at Kaseya Center, emphasizing their strong home-court advantage.

Player Prop to Watch

Jimmy Butler (Heat) – Points Total: 22.5
Butler typically elevates his game in meaningful matchups. If Mitchell sits or is limited, Butler could dominate on both ends, making the over on his points prop a strong consideration.

Prediction & Best Bets

Spread: Heat -3.5 → Given Cleveland’s injury concerns and Miami’s strong finish to the season, backing the Heat to cover at home is the safer bet.

Total: Under 214.5 → Both teams rank in the top 10 defensively, and with injuries to key scorers, a lower-scoring game seems likely.

Player Prop: Jimmy Butler Over 22.5 Points → Butler should see increased usage and shot volume in a game that matters for playoff positioning.

Final Score Prediction: Heat 108, Cavaliers 100

With more at stake for Miami and a compromised Cavaliers lineup, expect the Heat to take care of business at home and edge closer to securing a direct playoff spot.