The Miami Heat lost the first two games of their first-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers on the road, and now they’ll try to avoid a daunting 3-0 deficit as the series shifts to Miami at 1 p.m. Saturday for Game 3.
Despite the record, the Heat were competitive in Game 2. It took Donovan Mitchell’s fourth-quarter heroics to lift the Cavs to the win. But coach Erik Spoelstra’s gameplan helped the Heat push the East’s No. 1 seed.
There are plenty of storylines going into Game 3, but none bigger than the public beef between the teams’ two guards. After Game 2, Darius Garland called out Tyler Herro when he told reporters that Cleveland’s strategy was to, “Pick on Tyler Herro.”
Herro responded on Friday, saying, “somebody who doesn’t play defense shouldn’t be talking.”
Expect both Herro and Garland (as long as he plays) to be targeted on defense in this one.
But there’s more. Cavaliers center Evan Mobley was just named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year. Is that something Bam Adebayo will take personally? Adebayo has had an up-and-down series, and it’s clear the Heat need more from him on offense. He could look to spoil Mobley’s honor with a big game.
Here’s what to know for Saturday afternoon’s tilt.
How to watch Heat vs Cavaliers
Time: 1 pm ET
Location: Kaseya Center, Miami
TV: TNT, Max, FanDuel Sports Network
Stream: Fubo, FanDuel Sports Network, Max
Notable injuries
For the Heat, Terry Rozier (left ankle sprain) and Kevin Love (personal reasons) are out.
For the Cavaliers, Darius Garland (left toe sprain) is listed as questionable.
Projected starting lineups
Heat
PG: Davion Mitchell
SG: Tyler Herro
SF: Andrew Wiggins
PF: Bam Adebayo
C: Kel’el Ware
Cavaliers
PG: Darius Garland
SG: Donovan Mitchell
SF: Max Strus
PF: Evan Mobley
C: Jarrett Allen
Betting
The Heat are 5.5-point underdogs at home.