Cleveland

Cavaliers

Mitchell was coming off a 42-point performance in the win over the Magic on Tuesday. The difference in the two games for the 29-year-old shooting guard were simple: free throws. Mitchell was 11-of-11 from the line against the Magic and didn’t even attempt a single free throw against the Heat. He was still able to put up 28 points and four three-pointers. Mitchell has provided second-round per game value over the last two weeks. The Cavaliers only have one more game this week with a rematch against the Heat on Friday.

Already without Max Strus and Jaylon Tyson, the Cavaliers won’t have Dean Wade either, as he sprained his right ankle during a pregame workout. Due to Wade’s absence, Ellis moves into the starting five as part of a smaller opening quintet.

Wade sprained his right ankle during his pregame individual workout, and the Cavaliers have decided to hold him out for precautionary reasons. With Max Strus and Jaylon Tyson also out, this could be a spot where Nae’Qwan Tomlin picks up additional minutes, even if he comes off the bench.

Nance is good to go after being listed as questionable on the initial injury report. He’s unlikely to get the minutes needed to affect fantasy basketball, even if Dean Wade (ankle) cannot play. Wade sprained his right ankle during pregame warmups and is considered questionable.

Nance was a late scratch on Tuesday and could remain out against Miami. However, he rarely sees the floor when healthy, so his status won’t have much of an impact on their rotation.

Tyson will remain sidelined for a third straight game. With Max Strus (foot) also sidelined, Sam Merrill and Dean Wade should see extra minutes as starters, while Keon Ellis should play a significant role off the bench.

Strus isn’t playing back-to-backs after missing the first five months of the season. His absence will open up extra minutes for Keon Ellis and Dean Wade, with Ellis being the better option for fantasy managers.

Merrill returned from a two-game absence with a hamstring injury and has been on fire since then. During this four-game win streak, he has averaged 16.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.8 triples while shooting 50 percent from the floor. He’s not a reliable source of production in other categories, but he has shot the ball well, and he’ll look to keep it going against the Heat on Wednesday.

Harden has been on a tear during this four-game winning streak. He has averaged 27.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 4.3 triples over his last four games while shooting 50 percent from the floor. He’ll look to keep the hot shooting up against the Heat on Wednesday and Friday to close out the week.

Clearly, Mitchell’s eye isn’t impacting his shot anymore. He struggled with his shot in his two previous appearances and missed one game because of the left eye injury, but he was incredibly efficient in this game. He didn’t contribute much value in other categories, but the offensive explosion was enough for him to make a big impact and lead the Cavs to a fourth straight win. Mitchell will look to stay hot with the Heat in town on Wednesday and Friday.