In an upcoming matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat, the Cavaliers are expected to be the clear favorites due to the absence of key players from the Heat's lineup. The Heat will be without Bam Adebayo and Haywood Highsmith, giving the Cavaliers a significant advantage.

The Heat's defensive rating takes a hit when Adebayo and Highsmith are off the court, plummeting to a discouraging 120.9. Without their presence, the Heat's ability to contain the dynamic duo of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, who possess exceptional scoring abilities, is questionable. Both Mitchell and Garland are expected to penetrate the paint effortlessly, creating opportunities for themselves and their teammates.

While the Heat managed to survive without Adebayo in their recent game against the Raptors, the victory was far from impressive. Credit can be given to their opponents' poor shooting, which allowed the Heat to escape with a win. However, facing the Cavaliers without Adebayo poses a different challenge altogether.

The Cavaliers now have a strong supporting cast surrounding Mitchell and Garland, making them a formidable offensive unit. Additionally, the return of Max Strus to Miami promises to bring forth a focused and determined player who can add to the Cavaliers' offensive threat. The potential absence of Evan Mobley and Caris Levert is a concern for Cleveland, but Mobley's offensive struggles do not completely dissuade from the Cavaliers' chances. Despite his defensive prowess, the team's offensive efficiency suffers significantly when Mobley is on the court.

The Heat's struggles on the offensive end are apparent, especially in their abysmal ranking of 27th in offensive rim rate this season. Without Adebayo, their rim rate drops even further from 28.6% to 25.5%, meaning Mobley may not have as many opportunities to contest shots at the rim. This poses a disadvantage for the Heat, as they rely on Adebayo's defensive presence to protect the paint.

Considering the circumstances, the odds in favor of the Cavaliers should be closer to Cavs -3 or Cavs -3.5, reflecting the impact of Adebayo's absence. With a line set at -1.5, the Cavaliers appear to be a strong bet for this game. Bettors can confidently play this spread up to -2.5.

As the Cavaliers prepare to face the Heat, the absence of key defensive players for Miami sets the stage for an intriguing matchup. Can Cleveland capitalize on their opponent's weaknesses and come out victorious, or will the Heat find a way to overcome the odds and secure a crucial win? Only time will tell as these two teams clash on the court.