When the Cleveland Cavaliers recalled Key Felder out of the D-League earlier today, a lot of people predicted they will sit their star players against the Miami Heat, and they were right. The Cavaliers will play without LeBron James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving in Miami, just like about a month ago. The first time they rested their superstars in Miami, the Cavaliers were blown out 120 to 92.
Tonight, Cleveland will play on a second night of a back-to-back and it will be their second-to-last game of the regular season. It seems that head coach Tyronn Lue decided to give his star players a well-deserved rest and give up on the first seed, but it still won't be an easy game for the Miami Heat.
Cavaliers taking a night off once again
Even though he has missed only six games so far in the season, the Cavaliers forward LeBron James has been criticized for taking a night off every once in a while. James did not play in the first game in Miami, and he will miss another one. Despite all the criticism, the Cavaliers are doing the right thing and preserving their best players for the playoffs, when winning counts most. James' teammate Kyrie Irving has missed eight games so far and Kevin Love has appeared in only 59 contests, as he missed a big part of the season due to injury problems.
Deron Williams will start in place of Irving, while Richard Jefferson and Channing Frye will be replacing James and Love.
Aside from the three of them, Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith will most likely be in the starting lineup.
Miami Heat have to win the game
The Miami Heat have no option but to win this game and they will give their maximum effort to repeat the result they had against the Cavaliers in their first game in Miami. With only two more games left in the season, the Heat are in the ninth spot in the Eastern Conference and they will have to win both of their remaining games to stay in playoff contention.
Even if they go 2-0, there's a chance they won't make the playoffs due to tiebreaking rules.
The Heat will play their final two games at home against the Cavaliers and the Washington Wizards. They defeated the Wizards in their last game as they remained in the playoff race. Considering that the Cavaliers will rest their best players and play in a back-to-back game, the Heat will have a huge advantage tonight. Furthermore, Dion Waiters, who has been one of the best Heat players this season, could return to action tonight.
