OPENING TIP
Following Saturday’s fairly easy victory at Orlando, the Cavs have won eight of 13. The Heat, meanwhile, are the defending champs at have won 10 straight. So the Cavs’ goal tonight is likely to just keep things close and try to sneak in a win at the end. If so, that’s a good plan against the league’s most talented team.
Venue: American Airlines Arena, Miami.
TV/Radio: 5:30 p.m. EST, FOX Sports Ohio/WTAM
All-Time Series: Heat lead, 49-39.
PROJECTED STARTERS
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (18-37)
C Tyler Zeller
PF Tristan Thompson
SF Alonzo Gee
SG Dion Waiters
PG Kyrie Irving
MIAMI HEAT (39-14)
C Chris Bosh
PF Udonis Haslem
SF LeBron James
SG Dwyane Wade
PG Mario Chalmers
Pregame notes:
• The Cavs have won seven of eight against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The Heat are 23-2 when shooting at least 50 percent, and 29-4 when recording fewer turnovers than opponents.
• They won at Philadelphia last night, marking their 12th straight win over the 76ers. They’ve defeated the Cavs in four straight -- and five straight in Miami.
• The Cavs were able to keep their previous game at Miami (Nov. 24) close because they took care of the ball, committing only 11 turnovers. Jeremy Pargo, no longer with the team, started in place of Irving, injured at the time.
• James has scored in double figures in 472 consecutive games. That’s the sixth-longest such streak in NBA history.
