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Miami Heat host Cleveland Cavaliers in midst of controversy

By Wes Goldberg

Apr 2, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) look on in the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) look on in the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Heat-Cavaliers Preview

Heat (39-29) vs Cavaliers (49-19)
Where: Miami, FL
When: Saturday, March 19, 7:30 PM ET
TV/Radio: FS-SUN/790 AM

Take a look at the standings, and you might think the Cleveland Cavaliers should have nothing to worry about when they play the Miami Heat Saturday.

But it’s not the team at the top of the Eastern Conference with the swagger. These teams couldn’t feel more different right now.

LeBron James created some controversy after he visited Miami earlier this month and worked out with his former teammate Dwyane Wade. Saturday, he’ll return to South Florida and try to wipe away the residue of that visit with a win in Miami.

The Heat are among the hottest teams in the East and, despite a tough loss against the Charlotte Hornets Thursday, are 10-5 since the All-Star break. They are flying high with confidence. Luol Deng and Joe Johnson have reinvigorated Miami’s forward play, and Goran Dragic is smiling more than ever, enjoying the faster pace.

Meanwhile the Cavs have been steeped in controversy. First LeBron’s Miami visit, then the sub-tweets and the rumbling that the team isn’t very happy with Kyrie Irving. They just barely got by the Orlando Magic Friday night, and will be facing the Heat on a second game of a back to back.

The Heat should have the energy and confidence to pull this game out. Oh, and James hasn’t won in Miami since he left.

Matchup to watch: Joe Johnson vs LeBron James

While Justise Winslow will surely see some minutes defending James, and could be the guy defending him at the end of the game, it’ll be Joe Johnson whose defense on James will set the tone. James has a tendency to get his teammates involved early in games, but I have sense it could be a bit different Saturday.

The Cavs are playing their second game in two nights, so he may feel the need to jump out to an early lead. He may not trust his teammates right now, so James could take matters in his own hands and try to dominate early, especially before the feisty Winslow enters the game. Joe Johnson needs to be ready for it.

X-Factor: Dwyane Wade

Dwyane Wade told Ethan Skolnick of the Miami Herald that he’s been a bit rusty since the All-Star break.

"“I haven’t been into the best rhythm since the All-Star break that I want to be in,” said Wade, who shot 45.8 percent before the break, and 39.4 percent since. “I’ve had some good games scoring, but I haven’t been into a great rhythm.”"

He’ll need to shake off that rust sooner rather than later as the Heat try to get the third seed in the Eastern Conference. Wade lives for these big moments, and this would be the game to find his rhythm.

Key stats

Miami Heat offensive efficiency: T-15th, 103.1 points per 100 possessions
Miami Heat defensive efficiency: 6th, 101.0 points allowed per 100 possessions

Cleveland Cavaliers offensive efficiency: 4th, 107.6 points per 100 possessions
Cleveland Cavaliers defensive efficiency: 8th, 101.7 points allowed per 100 possessions

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