GAME THREAD: Miami Heat (5-6) return home seeking third straight win against Cleveland Cavaliers (6-6) – Hot Hot Hoops

The Miami Heat are finally back home tonight, welcoming the Cleveland Cavaliers to Kaseya Center as they look to extend their winning streak to three games and reach the .500 mark for the first time this season.

After opening the 2026-27 campaign with four consecutive losses, Miami has slowly started turning things around. The Heat wrapped up their five-game West Coast road trip with a respectable 3-2 record, including back-to-back victories over the Sacramento Kings and Utah Jazz.

Their latest win came Tuesday night in Salt Lake City, where Miami held off the Jazz 115-109 behind another outstanding performance from Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The two-time MVP finished with 30 points and 11 rebounds, recording his eighth consecutive double-double. Davion Mitchell also continued his impressive early-season play, contributing 19 points, eight assists and five rebounds.

Now comes a more significant test against a familiar Eastern Conference opponent.

Cleveland enters tonight with a 6-6 record and is coming off an impressive 115-107 road victory over the New York Knicks. Donovan Mitchell and James Harden headline a talented Cavaliers backcourt, while Jarrett Allen provides a formidable presence inside.

The Cavaliers will be without Evan Mobley due to a toe injury, giving Miami’s frontcourt an opportunity to make its presence felt. However, the Heat will also be dealing with some lineup adjustments, as Klay Thompson and Pelle Larsson have been ruled out.

Tonight’s matchup also carries additional significance as an Emirates NBA Cup group-play contest. Both teams won their opening games of the tournament, making this an important early test in the race to advance.

For Erik Spoelstra and the Heat, the goal is to continue building chemistry around Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, improve their defensive consistency and prove they can carry their recent momentum into a matchup against a playoff-caliber opponent.

Can Miami make it three straight and finally climb back to .500?

STARTING LINEUPS

Miami Heat

• Davion Mitchell, PG
• Tim Hardaway Jr., SG
• Myron Gardner, SF
• Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF
• Bam Adebayo, C

Cleveland Cavaliers

• James Harden, PG
• Donovan Mitchell, SG
• Peyton Watson, SF
• Jaylon Tyson, PF
• Jarrett Allen, C

INJURY REPORT / PLAYER AVAILABILITY

Miami Heat

• Giannis Antetokounmpo — AVAILABLE (right wrist sprain)
• Klay Thompson — OUT (left ankle soreness)
• Pelle Larsson — OUT (illness)
• Vladislav Goldin — OUT (G League/two-way assignment)

Cleveland Cavaliers

• Evan Mobley — OUT (left great toe sprain)
• Sam Merrill — OUT (right elbow)
• Nae’Qwan Tomlin — OUT (lower back)
• Khalifa Diop — OUT (G League assignment)
• Ernest Udeh Jr. — OUT (G League/two-way assignment)

GAME INFO

Matchup: Cleveland Cavaliers (6-6) at Miami Heat (5-6)
Date: Friday, November 13, 2026
Time: 8:00 PM ET
Location: Kaseya Center — Miami, Florida
TV: WPLG Local 10 / Local 10+ (South Florida), DAZN-CLE (Cleveland)
Radio: 560 AM WQAM / HEAT Radio Network
Competition: Emirates NBA Cup — Group Play

Miami has an opportunity to make a statement in front of its home crowd and continue climbing back from its difficult start to the season.

Will the Heat make it three straight and finally return to .500?

Join the conversation below, share your reactions throughout the game and cheer on the Heat with the Hot Hot Hoops community!

Let’s go HEAT!

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