LeBron Back In Cleveland…Just For A Night
Feb 17th, 2012 by PJ LaFerla
LeBron James and the Miami Heat travel to Cleveland this Friday evening to take on the Cavaliers. Emotions will certainly be ridging high between the fans and James for obvious reasons, but let’s not forget a game needs to be played.
The Heat come into this matchup as a road favorite of -9 points and it is well justified. They own a league dominating team record of 23-7. Currently, they are winners of four straight games and seven of their last eight. On the road they have been just as deadly as of late, winning five of the last six. Against Cleveland going back six games, they have come away with five victories. However, against the spread versus Cleveland is where Miami is hurting. Going back eleven games, the Heat have only managed three covers and on the road in Cleveland’s building the Heat have only covered just once out of the last seven.
The Cavaliers are sitting five games under the .500 mark at 11-16, but are five games above the mark against the spread at 16-11. During this current fifteen game stretch, the Cavaliers have only managed five outright wins and seem to be playing worse each and every time they hit the hardwood.
This is the prototypical example of two teams going in two different directions. Miami is a champion bound team, while Cleveland is certain to be a lottery pick.
Expect mighty Miami to frustrate Cleveland on both sides of the ball – making for a long night for the fans, city of Cleveland and the players.
If your a fan of the city of Cleveland and a LeBron hater don’t expect revenge tonight, as the Heat will show signs of dominance from tip off to the final buzzer and easily cover this game.
Notable Injuries for Miami: Mario Chalmers, Day-to-Day (hand injury), Dexter Pittman, Day-to-Day (shoulder injury).
Notable Injuries for Cleveland: Daniel Gibson, Day-to-Day (sprained ankle), Anthony Parker, Out Indefinitely (back spasms), Anderson Varejao Out Indefinitely (wrist injury).
Make your play on the Miami Heat to cover the point spread!
PJ Laferla is a practicing freelance writer, professional handicapper, and the founder of SportsInput.com. If you are interested in hiring PJ Laferla for freelance writing or for winning picks against the spread, please submit all inquires to PJ@sportsinput.com.