Miami Heat vs Cleveland Cavaliers Predictions, Odds, Bets & Stats First Round Game 4– 04/28/2025

On Monday, 04/28, the Miami Heat (0-3) will host the Cleveland Cavaliers (3-0) in Game 4 of the NBA Playoffs’ First Round. The Cavaliers demolished the Heat by 37 points in Game 3 in the latter’s worst-ever playoff defeat. Can the Cavs finish the series in Game 4? Or will the Heat have one more big showing to save their season? Read through the preview, total predictions, and player props here.

Where to Watch Miami Heat vs Cleveland Cavaliers

Time: 7:30 PM (ET)
Venue: Kaseya Center (Miami, Florida)
Where to watch: This game can be viewed on the NBA League Pass, ABC & YouTube.

Miami Heat vs Cleveland Cavaliers Game 4 Preview

The Cavs saved their best for the playoffs

The Cavaliers gave no chance to Miami in Game 3. The game was a perfect illustration of why the Cavs finished as the number one seed in the East while the Heat had to qualify through the play-in tournament.

Cleveland jumped to a 13-point lead in the first quarter and never looked back. They finished the first half with a 20-point lead and then extended it to 24 points by the end of the third quarter. The Heat looked miserable even against the second unit of the Cavs.

Cavaliers dealt significant damage from the paint, scoring 60 points compared to 30 by the Heat. So they had double amount the points inside. The best part was that Cavaliers’ leading scorer Donovan Mitchell put up 13 points but they still fielded an effective offense.

Jarrett Allen led the way with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Evan Mobley had 19 points, Max Strus had 18 points. De’Andre Hunter stepped up with 21 points off the bench. TY Jerome had an impressive 13-point, 11-assist performance. For the Heat, Bam Adebayo led with 22 points while Davion Mitchell had 16 points. However, leading scorer Tyler Herro shot 5/13.

Cavaliers Expected Starting Lineup

PG: Darius Garland | SG: Donovan Mitchell | SF: Max Strus | PF: Evan Mobley | C: Jarrett Allen

Key bench players: PG: Ty Jerome, SF: DeAndre Hunter, SG: Sam Merrill

Injuries/Updates: Darius Garland is Game-Time Decision.

Heat Expected Starting Lineup

PG: Davion Mitchell | SG: Tyler Herro | SF: Andrew Wiggins | PF/C: Bam Adebayo | C: Kel’el Ware

Key bench players: SF: Duncan Robinson, SF: Haywood Highsmith

Injuries/Updates: Nothing significant to report.

Miami Heat vs Cleveland Cavaliers Total Over/Under Prediction- NBA Best Bets

The Cavs have scored 120+ in the three games thus far. Meanwhile, the Heat have scored 100 or fewer in two of those games. They did reach 109 in Game 2, paving for a series’ high 230 points.

The series has been on the higher side scoring-wise because the Heat is one of the top ten defenses, but hasn’t delivered thus far. I do see them restricting Cavs under 120 for the first time, while scoring over 102 or so.

Total: O 212.5 for +115 at BetMGM
Heat: Points Over 101.5 for +110 at BetMGM

Miami Heat vs Cleveland Cavaliers Player Props Predictions- Projected Top Bets & Odds

Tyler Herro to score over 24.5 points: The Miami Heat guard underperformed in Game 3 with a 13-point performance. Meanwhile, he had a 33-point outburst in Game 2 after a 21-point delivery in Game 1. I see him in the 25-29 range here.

Jarrett Allen to grab over 9.5 rebounds: The Cavaliers accumulated 10 rebounds in Game 3, grabbing 10 or more boards for the second time this series. I expect him to continue the trend here.

Bam Adebayo to clasp over 9.5 rebounds: The Heat center clamped down 9 boards for the second time in the series. He had grabbed 14 in Game 1. I see him pulling down 10-12 rebounds here.

Main pick: Tyler Herro O 24.5 points for -110 at BetMGM

Miami Heat vs Cleveland Cavaliers Match Prediction

The Heat have looked helpless against the Cavaliers thus far. They lack the offensive depth to tackle the loaded Cavs, which can thrive despite the lack of production from their leading scorers.

On the other hand, the Heat must be desperate to avoid a sweep, but the 37-point beatdown in Game 2 must have broken them a ton. Thus, I see the Cavs sweeping their way in the East Semi-Finals.

Safe Spread Pick: Cavaliers -9.5 for -102 at BetMGM

Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Shubham Singh

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Hi, I am Shubham. I am currently an NBA Predictions Writer on The Playoffs. I enjoy this job because it helps keep me in the loop about the game I love while fulfilling the pleasure I derive from stats. I got into NBA writing through social media interactions in the mid-2010s as I shared my takes on young talents such as D’Angelo Russell. I hope you enjoy reading my pieces as much as Dennis Rodman loved rebounding the basketball!