Cleveland brings the better season scoring margin, but Evan Mobley’s absence looms against Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Friday’s matchup pits Cleveland at 6-6 and 16th in the power index against Miami at 5-6 and 18th. The Cavaliers average 116.4 points and own a plus-25 differential, compared with Miami’s 115.7 points per game and minus-47 margin, though the Heat are 1-3 at home. Cleveland will be without Evan Mobley, who has 200 points and 86 rebounds this season, leaving Jarrett Allen—83 rebounds in 10 games—to help handle Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 305 points and 139 boards. The key is whether Cleveland can keep Giannis from controlling the interior while Donovan Mitchell (274 points) and James Harden (203) pressure a Miami defense allowing 120 points per game; Klay Thompson and Pelle Larsson are both questionable for the Heat.