The Miami Heat will visit the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on Friday evening.

Miami (22-24) has run into some struggles of late, going 1-4 in its last five games. The Heat's hallmark all season has been its elite defense, which is giving up just 106.0 points per game. Recently, however, the team has not been as sharp defensively, allowing 111 points per game in its four recent losses. Still, Miami currently sits in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, as the team is in eighth place in the conference standings. A balanced approach has helped the team stay competitive this season, as six different Heat players are averaging double-digit scoring.


Goran Dragic will be out of the lineup on Friday after receiving surgery on his injured right knee.


Cleveland (9-40) has gone just 1-17 in its last 18 games. The cold stretch has sunk the Cavaliers to last place in the Eastern Conference. Both sides of the ball have been a challenge for the Cavaliers, who own the league's worst defensive rating (118.7) as well as a bottom-ten offensive rating (106.9). With Kevin Love (toe) remaining sidelined, the Cavaliers' leading scorer has been Jordan Clarkson with just 16.7 points per game. Cleveland also struggles to move the ball, ranking third-to-last in the league in assists per game.

The Cavaliers have a long injury report, with Kevin Love (toe), John Henson (wrist), and Larry Nance (knee) all out for the game. David Nwaba (ankle) and Tristan Thompson (ankle) are both day-to-day.