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Miami Heat look to scorch reeling Cleveland Cavaliers

By Kristopher Keaton

DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 29: a general view of the Miami Heat shirts during warms ups prior to the game against the Dallas Mavericks on January 29, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Danny Bollinger/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 29: a general view of the Miami Heat shirts during warms ups prior to the game against the Dallas Mavericks on January 29, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Danny Bollinger/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Miami Heat are traveling to the frozen “Land,” to take on the reeling Cleveland Cavaliers, with third place in the Eastern Conference on the line.

The Miami Heat are in Cleveland tonight for an important matchup with the Cavaliers.

The winner will have sole possession of the third seed in the Eastern Conference, which LeBron James and company currently hold by half a game.

The Cavaliers come into this game ripe for the picking, playing under .500 basketball for the month of January. Reeling with consistent drama, poor defense, and now with an injured Kevin Love, the Heat have to capitalize on the opportunity.

Love is speculated to miss at least two months with a broken hand.

While regular season games in January rarely come with playoff implications, this game certainly qualifies as such.

The Heat are currently the only team in the East’s top ten without an All-Star. There has been lobbying for Heat guard Goran Dragic to make the All-Star Game, now that Love is injured, but he’s struggled in the last week. With the trade deadline and All-Star Game on the horizon, the Heat may look to send a message.

That message being that they deserve national respect, despite having no so-called big name star, leading the team.

One thing that has proven to not be a struggle though, is scoring on the Cavaliers.

They have proven that with staying diligent in attacking their defense, you’ll be rewarded with plenty of easy baskets. In fact, over their last 10 games, Cleveland is giving up 118 points per game. The Heat’s game plan should be to feed Hassan Whiteside early and often, then attack the rim relentlessly. Once they do that, guys like Dragic, Wayne Ellington, and Josh Richardson should have plenty of open looks from three.

Heat Basketball has provided fans with plenty of excitement lately, and this matchup will certainly be no different. Between facing off against former Heat star, James, and looking to surpass the Cavaliers in the Eastern rankings, it’s sure to be a good night.

Next: Miami Heat Makes and Misses: Lineup struggles and a new front court

Following this game, the Heat will travel to Philadelphia on Friday night, to matchup with Ben Simmons and the Sixers (24-23).

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