3 Biggest Keys to Cavaliers Defeating Heat in NBA Cup Matchup

The Cleveland Cavaliers will be taking on the Miami Heat tonight in their second game of the NBA Cup schedule.

Cleveland was able to take down the Philadelphia 76ers in the first game on their NBA Cup schedule, giving them a nice start. The Cavaliers are currently sitting atop the Group B standings heading into this game with Miami, holding a +24-point differential.

Miami is right behind them in the standings, also having won their first game over the Indiana Pacers, holding a point differential of +20. So, the winner of this game will take first place in the standings, giving them a good opportunity to advance past the group stage.

For the season, the Cavaliers sit with a record of 6-6, holding the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference. As for the Heat, they are 5-6, sitting in the No. 7 spot in the East.

Here are three of the biggest keys for the Cavaliers to grab the win over Miami tonight:

1. Jarrett Allen

With Evan Mobley out due to a toe injury, Jarrett Allen is going to have more responsibility on his shoulders. Allen is going to have to anchor Cleveland’s interior defense, especially against a tough Miami attack with Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The big man will also need to up his scoring to help Cleveland offset the loss of Mobley in the game, but this has been a challenge for him this season. So far on the year, Allen has averaged 12.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.6 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game.

2. Bench Scoring

With forward Sam Merrill out for this game due to injury, the Cavaliers are going to need others from the bench unit to step up. Players such as Jaylon Tyson, Meleek Thomas, and others will need to provide this team with some extra scoring punch.

The Cavaliers starters can't do everything alone, and at some point, the bench will have to step up to help deliver some wins. Cleveland believed that this group was good enough entering the season, and this could be a good chance for them to prove themselves.

3. James Harden

There has been a lot of talk about Harden's struggled to open the season, and rightfully so, with the guard not living up to his contract. But Harden is one of the best scorers in the history of the league, and he should figure it out.

The veteran did explode for 32 points last time out against the New York Knicks, giving the Cavaliers some level of hope. But for them to take down Miami, Cleveland needs Harden to at least get in the 24-point range.