Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat – Game 3 Betting Preview (April 26, 2025)
The Cavs are clicking at the right time, and they’re making life really tough for the shorthanded Heat squad. Up 2-0 in the series, Cleveland will be in Miami, and so far, they have a stranglehold on the series. The Heat will need to dig deep at the Kaseya Center if they want to fight another game.
- Series Status: Cavaliers lead 2-0
- Date & Time: Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 1:00 pm ET
- Venue: Kaseya Center, Miami, FL
- Broadcast: TNT
Game 2 Recap
Game 2 was evidence of why the Cavaliers finished near the top of the East and why Miami is hanging on by a thread.
- Final Score: Cavaliers 121, Heat 112
- Key Performers
- Cavaliers: Donovan Mitchell dropped 30 points, taking over in the second half and basically ending it.
- Heat: Tyler Herro poured in 33, doing everything he could to keep Miami within striking distance.
- Turning Point: Cleveland had a monster second quarter—they outscored Miami 43-28 and knocked down 11 threes, which sealed the game. Even though the Heat made a late push, the Cavs’ healthy lead was too much to overcome.
Team Analysis
The Cavs are built differently; their size, defense, and shot creation are in another league compared to the thinner, injury-hit roster that the Heat are dealing with.
Cleveland Cavaliers
- Regular Season Record: 64-18
- Road Record: 30-11
- Playoff Performance: Averaging 121.5 PPG through the first two games, moving the ball cleanly, and shooting north of 48%.
Key Players
- Donovan Mitchell: Playing like he’s the best guard in the series (he might be), averaging 30 points a night with outstanding shot-making off the dribble.
- Jarrett Allen: Allen controlled the paint, eliminated drives, and cleaned the glass. His rim protection has been insanely good.
Miami Heat
- Regular Season Record: 37-45
- Home Record: 19-22
- Playoff Performance: Giving up over 120 PPG so far and really struggling to put together stops when they matter the most.
Key Players
- Tyler Herro: Herro has been Miami’s lifeline offensively, getting buckets at all three levels, but he’s pretty much alone out there—he’s been working without a lot of help.
- Bam Adebayo: Bam has to find another gear inside! He’s rebounding well but has been way too passive as a scorer.
Injury Report
Injuries have been hanging over Miami like a dark cloud, and they just don’t have the depth to spackle over it.
Miami Heat
Here’s who is on the Miami injured list as of now:
- Isaiah Stevens: Out for the season
- Dru Smith: Out for the season (Achilles)
- Terry Rozier: Questionable because of his ankle (if he plays, this would help Miami with shot creation)
- Kevin Love: Questionable for personal reasons (if Love suits up, he’d be a boon for Miami in terms of vet grit and floor spacing)
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs have no major injuries on their report, which means that they’re at full strength, and that’s just one more in the advantage column for the team.
Current Betting Odds, Line Movement & Predictions
The Cavs handled their business at home, and oddsmakers expect them to keep that same energy in Miami. Above, you can see the odds on ESPN BET for Game 3.
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
Cavaliers | -6.5 (EVEN) | -230 | Over 213.5 (-107) |
Heat | +6.5 (-105) | +195 | Under 213.5 (-107) |
Yesterday Betting Odds
- Point Spread: Cavaliers -6.5
- Over/Under: 213.5 points
- Moneyline: Cavaliers -238; Heat +195
Predicted Score: Cavaliers 118, Heat 110
Miami’s offense gets super thin once you get past Herro and Adebayo. If Rozier or Love doesn’t make a surprise return, it’s hard to see them keeping up for four quarters again.
Best Bets
And here is where we think smart money is heading into Saturday’s game:
- Over 213.5 Total Points: Both teams have proven that they can get buckets, but Miami’s defense hasn’t been able to get important stops, and Cleveland is scoring from all three levels.
- Cavaliers -6.5: Cleveland’s two-way dominance has traveled well all season long, and Miami doesn’t have the horsepower to trade punches for 48 minutes straight. Laying the points feels like the right call.
Key Matchups to Watch
All playoff games have a handful of matchups to watch, so here is who will be pivotal on Saturday afternoon!
- Donovan Mitchell vs. Tyler Herro: Mitchell’s physicality and shot versatility give him an advantage, but Herro’s quick release can punish any sort of lapse in perimeter coverage.
- Jarrett Allen vs. Bam Adebayo: Allen’s rim protection has been a huge problem for Miami’s halfcourt sets. If Bam doesn’t play with more force and get Allen into foul trouble, the Heat offense will stay stuck.
- Cavaliers’ Perimeter Defense vs. Heat’s Three-Point Shooting: Miami needs to hit outside shots early to stretch out Cleveland’s defense. If the Cavs can close out hard and run shooters off the line, it’s going to be a long afternoon.
X-Factors
There are a few x-factors that could tip Game 3 either way!
- Cavaliers: The role players. Garland, Mobley, and Strus have all had their moments. If they stay aggressive and knock down open looks, Miami’s defense will continue to be stretched.
- Heat: Home-court juice. Miami needs a strong start to rattle Cleveland early on, and any kind of boost from Rozier (if he plays) would be a massive gift.
Final Thoughts
The Cavaliers are playing stellar bball, and they’re two quarters away from putting Miami in a near-impossible spot. The Heat are running out of answers and possibly players.
If Cleveland can weather the early run and keep imposing their physical style, it’s really hard to see Miami climbing their way back into this series. Game 3 isn’t technically a must-win for the Heat, but in every way that matters, it absolutely is.
