Following a 1-2 start, LeBron James and the defending champion Miami Heat have been on a tear. Winners in 10 of their last 11 games, the Heat are once again solidifying themselves as the team to beat in the NBA. Coming off a 107-92 victory over the Phoenix Suns, LeBron and company hope to continue their winning ways when they travel to Cleveland for a Thanksgiving Eve showdown with the lowly Cavaliers. The Cavs (4-10) haven't played up to the form many thought they would this season and with a major contest coming up, the team will need to be on point from start to finish if they hope to derail the back-to-back champions.
The game will also serve as another homecoming match for LeBron James, who departed Cleveland for Miami before the start of the 2010 NBA season. Helping to resurrect a Cavaliers franchise, the Akron, Ohio native was able to achieve a wide level of success with his hometown team that ultimately helped catapult him to the status of 'league's best player.' Now set to take on a Cleveland team that's dropped six of seven, Miami hopes to earn a victory in order to make their Thanksgiving more enjoyable. The Heat will also have the opportunity to share Thanksgiving dinner at James' Ohio home since they'll be on the road for the holiday.
"We would have loved to have been here for the holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas being here in Miami," James said. "We don't mind playing on those holidays. Wish we could have been here, but I am happy that I'm able to do something for the team for Thanksgiving." Teammate Dwyane Wade, who has watched the four-time MVP average 26 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists this season, indicated that it will be a fun thing to spend the holiday with his teammates even though it will be a bit different to not celebrate Thanksgiving with family.
"We're not at home with our families for Thanksgiving but it couldn't work out any better that at least we could be in someone else's home," Wade said. "And it's a very nice home that we're going to, so I'll make sure I'll put on the right clothes and the right socks, gotta-take-your-shoes-off-at-the-door type of house."
Riding a seven-game win streak heading into the Cleveland game, the Heat hope to take advantage of a favorable schedule over the course of the next seven games. Following the trip to Ohio, Miami will travel to Toronto for a Friday night showdown with the Raptors and then battle Eastern Conference opponents in Charlotte, Detroit and Chicago, who is once again without guard Derrick Rose. Trips to Minnesota and Detroit will follow with a massive game coming on December 10 at the Indiana Pacers.
The Heat took each of the four meetings against the Cavs last season and with 'The King' once again returning to Ohio, expect the Cavaliers to play with a higher level of intensity as they look to take down LeBron and end their recent skid to the NBA's most dominant team.
Miami Heat vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: DATE, TIME & TV INFO
DATE: Wednesday, November 27
TIME: 7:30pm, ET
TV COVERAGE: ESPN
LIVE STREAM: CLICK HERE
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