It’s already April. That means the heated playoff race is on in the NBA and the NHL.
If the postseason started today, then the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Miami Heat match up in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. After dropping the two of the last three head-to-head matchups this season, James and the Cavs have a chance to even the series up against a short-handed Heat at Cleveland.
Later on in the night, the Vancouver Canucks attempt for a rare sweep of the highly-touted Chicago Blackhawks. A victory would also help Vancouver’s bid to clinch a playoff berth this late into the regular season.
Read on for everything you need to know heading to today’s top games. If you’re looking ahead to a weekend of action, then check out our complete previews for the Final Four games, Kentucky vs. Wisconsin and Duke vs. Michigan State.
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Miami Heat vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (8:00 PM ET)
Line: Miami Heat (+12) at Cleveland Cavaliers (-12); total 200.0 – view these lines
[sc:NBA240banner ]LeBron James left the Miami Heat supposedly for greener pastures. The Heat made sure to pester their former star as they’ve won two of their last three games against James’ Cleveland Cavaliers. Dwyane Wade starred in the two wins against Miami, averaging 31.5 points. But Wade has been inconsistent as of late, sandwiching a 40-point performance with 15 and 13-point performances in his last three games.
The possible absence of Luol Deng, and the Heat’s struggles on the road (1-4 SU/ATS in their last five) should prove dividends for the Cavs. James put up just 18 points on 6-of-16 shooting with Deng as his primary defender in Cleveland’s 20-point home win over Miami on February 11. He should score close to his season average of 25.7 points without Deng on the floor.
The Cavs are 6-3 ATS in their last nine games as double-digit favorites.
Vancouver Canucks vs. Chicago Blackhawks (8:30 PM ET)
Line: Vancouver Canucks (+145) at Chicago Blackhawks (-165); total 5.5 – view these lines
The Vancouver Canucks are hot. They’re on a six-game road win streak and could push the streak even further by sweeping their season series against Chicago tonight. Vancouver goaltender Eddie Lack is 4-0-1 with a 1.94 goals-against average in his last five road starts. At the frontline, Daniel Sedin has four goals in Vancouver’s last three games at Chicago, while Henrik Sedin has three assists.
But getting the season sweep will be difficult for the ‘Nucks. Chicago has not been swept by Vancouver since the 2005-2006 season. Marian Hosa powers the Chicago frontline. He’s scored three goals and assisted in another over his last three games against Vancouver. Jonathan Toews has 13 points (six goals and seven assists) across 13 games in March, but has picked up just one point over two games against the ‘Nucks this season.
