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Miami Heat: Previewing must-win game vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers

By Duncan Smith

CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 25: Cedi Osman #16 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball against the Miami Heat on January 25, 2019 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 25: Cedi Osman #16 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball against the Miami Heat on January 25, 2019 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The surging 30-34 Miami Heat play host to the Kevin Love and the Cleveland Cavaliers in a must-win game as they look to maintain their grip on a playoff spot.

It’s not like the old days when for the entirety of the 2010’s either the Cleveland Cavaliers or Miami Heat went to the NBA Finals every year, but it’s a meaningful game nonetheless when the Heat play host tonight.

The Heat have won three straight games and four of their last five, and they’ve climbed back into sole possession of the Eastern Conference’s eight seed. With five teams within 3.5 games of each other, separating the sixth through tenth seeds, every game from this point forward is a must-win.

The Cavaliers are in a clear rebuild mode as they sit at 16-49, the third worst record in the league, but they’ve been tough to beat in the last six games that Kevin Love has appeared in, going 4-2 in that stretch. In fact, when Love has been on the floor over that span, the Cavs have outscored their opponents by 9.2 points per 100 possessions.

That sample is small, but the Cavs are a completely different team when Love plays, and the Heat can’t afford to overlook seemingly inferior opposition at this point in the season. Games that should be wins can simply never be losses if the Heat hope to make this stretch run push for the playoffs.

While the Cavs will have Love healthy and available, they will be without the services of both Ante Zizic and Tristan Thompson, leaving the front court shorthanded. This could push Larry Nance Jr. into the starting lineup alongside Love and Cedi Osman.

The Heat only have one entry on the injury report in the form of Goran Dragic, who is questionable with a calf strain. Dragic has missed the last three games and has only played 18 games on the season.

Cleveland Cavaliers projected starters

Miami Heat projected starters

Next. The good, bad and the culture: Tank or playoffs?. dark

Tip off is at 8 PM EST for a game that has major playoff implications for the Miami Heat.

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