NBA odds: Heat, Wade try to get untracked against LeBron and the Cavs

There are only two games on the NBA betting schedule tonight, but fans still get a fantastic matchup as LeBron James and the Cavaliers host Dwyane Wade and the Heat. They duelled to a great one-point finish a few weeks ago and should have more excitement in store tonight.

Miami Heat at Cleveland Cavaliers
Thursday, Feb. 4 at 8:00 p.m. ET
Spread: Cleveland -10 at Bodog
The Cavaliers (39-11, 26-23-1 ATS) are a runaway freight train right now, having won nine consecutive games straight up. That includes five straight wins against the spread. Cleveland has been very strong at home lately, too, covering four of its last five games at Quicken Loans Arena. Even more impressive, the Cavs have done it without guards Delonte West and Mo Williams, who are out with injuries.

Cleveland’s game begins on defense. The team is tied for first in the NBA for fewest points allowed per game at 93.8, and the Cavs haven’t allowed a team to reach triple digits in six straight. Offensively, the Cavs are firing on all cylinders. They’ve scored at least 100 points six times during the nine-game winning streak while hitting triple figures nine times in their past 14. Naturally, LeBron James is at the center of it all. The King’s scoring has been down over his past four outings (22 PPG) but he’s been a monster when it comes to dishing the ball; James is averaging a Steve Nash-like 12.5 assists per game in his last four.

Miami (24-25, 24-25 ATS) is suffering through a total meltdown. Last night’s loss to Boston was the fifth time in six games Miami failed to earn a victory. It hasn’t been any prettier on NBA odds, with the Heat going 2-4 against the point spread in their last six outings. They’ve been slightly better on the road, going 3-2 ATS in their last five games away from home.

The Heat are commonly referred to as a one-man band. That’s troubling since, lately, that one man isn’t playing especially well. Although Dwyane Wade dropped 30 points and 13 assists on Boston last night, the star guard has struggled over the past few games. He shot just 13-39 from the field in the previous two games. Considering he’s banged up and playing back-to-back nights, it wouldn’t be far fetched for D-Wade to struggle against the Cavaliers. Second-year forward Michael Beasley just returned from a knee injury but looks a little sluggish in his brace.

The Cavaliers are an impressive 8-1 straight up over Miami in the past three seasons, with a very solid 6-3 record against the spread. Six of those nine have gone under the total. They last met on January 25, when Cleveland won 92-91 as a one-point underdog.