Game #17: Cleveland Cavaliers (6-9) vs. Miami Heat (11-5)

The Miami Heat are in the process of turning some early-season struggles into success, but hit a speed bump on that trail over the weekend when the Milwaukee Bucks out-worked a visibly fatigued Heat team. A win tonight against Cleveland would make sure that loss to the Bucks remains just a speed bump. I'm sure you could say the following for any home game that comes directly after a home loss, but I am quite certain that the Cavs are going to be in a little trouble when tonight's game begins.

I wouldn't go so far as to call the Heat-Cavaliers matchup as a rivalry. However, anytime these teams play in Cleveland for the foreseeable future you better bet that LeBron James and his teammates better be wearing ear plugs. Luckily for the Heat, tonight the game will be played in the safe confines of the American Airlines Arena. Miami will look to send the Cavs to their 4^th consecutive loss while the Heat are trying to keep pace with the top teams in both their conference and the league.

GAME NOTES

• Miami is 6-2 at home. Cleveland is 4-6 on the road.
• The Heat won the season series last year, taking 3 out of 4 from the Cavs.
• This is the 5^th and final game of this homestand. Miami will hit the road for a single game, then return home for another 4 straight games at the AAA.
• Chris Bosh is averaging 24.5 points per game during this homestand.
• LeBron James is fresh off his 7^th double double of the season.
• James finished with 28 points and 13 boards, which are the most rebounds he's collected since joining the Heat last summer.
• Dwyane Wade (ankle) is listed as questionable for the Heat.
• As for the Cavs, forward Tristan Thompson (ankle) is doubtful.

Tipoff from the AAA is set for 7:30 and the game will broadcast locally on Sun Sports. After this game, the Heat hit the road for a single game, then return home for four more.