Five Teams the Cleveland Cavaliers Don’t Want to Face in the Playoffs

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4. Miami Heat

Kevin Love vs. Miami Heat

Entering Saturday night’s game, the Cavaliers haven’t been able to win in James’ old stomping grounds since he has returned to the Cavs. Three losses, the last without him seeing any action, offer some doubt as to picking up a win there during the postseason. In contrast, they’ve yet to lose to the Heat at home during that same time frame.

While they’ll have home-court advantage in such a series, the Cavs will prefer not having to go seven games to win it. That means that they have to find a way to win in Miami, which may not seem difficult, given the absence of their forward Chris Bosh. However, the Heat have managed to win without him, and with the addition of Joe Johnson, will present a challenge.

Winning in Miami will alleviate the concern of possibly stumbling at home, but finding a way to contain the emerging Hassan Whiteside and controlling the always-dangerous Dwyane Wade are the likely keys to success here.

Next: Indiana Pacers


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Brad Sullivan is a lead writer for Cavaliers Nation. He has spent much of life in the Cleveland, Ohio area, and has remained a Cavalier fan from their 1970 beginnings through the return of LeBron James. While that fandom was sorely tested during the Reign of Error known simply by one word, Stepien, that overall historical perspective will be part of his writing for Cavaliers Nation in the months ahead.