The NBA takes center stage with a pair of nationally televised games on Thursday night. Two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference meet when Cleveland visits Miami. Meanwhile, the defending world champion Spurs visit a young but talented team from Golden State.

Below is a look at both TNT matches tonight.

CLEVELAND at MIAMI (-7, 198) (TNT)

The Cavaliers have been a streaky team this season, for both good and bad. They started the year 9-2 ATS and then went just 1-8 ATS. That was followed by an 8-1 ATS streak and then a recent 2-6 ATS slump. The Cavaliers are heating up once again as they entered last night on a 6-0 SU (5-0-1 ATS) run. Cleveland extended its straight win streak to seven games, but ultimately failed to cover the point spread by a single point, winning 91-85 as a 7-point home favorite.

LeBron James led the way with a triple-double scoring 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists against the Nets. The win improved Cleveland’s record at home to 17-5 SU this season, but the Cavaliers have been weaker on the road, going just 10-12 SU. Cleveland has also struggled against top teams with a 4-7 ATS underdog record, compared to a 21-10 ATS record as the scoring favorite. However, Cleveland has gone 4-2 ATS in its last six underdog roles.

Miami was embarrassed in the first head-to-head meeting on Dec. 15 when Cleveland won 115-107 as a 1½-point home favorite. Cleveland dominated the game more than the final eight-point margin would seem to indicate, as the Cavaliers held a 20-point lead entering the fourth quarter.

Miami enters this game with three straight wins, including a 118-114 home win over the LA Clippers on Tuesday in which the Heat barely managed to cover as a 4 ½-point favorite. Overall, Miami is 9-3 SU (7-5 ​​ATS) over its last twelve games.

Star guard Dwyane Wade continues to battle an ankle injury and missed the Heat’s 91-85 win at Charlotte on Saturday night. Wade has played well the past two games, scoring 32 and 28 points, but the point guard’s depth is a concern as backup Jason Williams remains out with a broken finger.

SAN ANTONIO (-7) in THE GOLDEN STATE (TNT)

Golden State played its third straight game last night without leading scorer Jason Richardson, who is battling back pain. Richardson is questionable again tonight, leading the Warriors in scoring (22.8 ppg) and second in assists (2.8 ppg), steals (1.4 ppg) and third in rebounding ( 5.9 points per game).

Golden State lost in Seattle 111-107, but point guard Baron Davis played excellent and led the way with 35 points and nine assists. The Warriors led 62-56 at halftime but were outscored 29-9 in the third quarter and trailed by 14 points entering the final period.

Golden State had outscored its previous two opponents without Richardson when the Warriors beat Portland 98-83 on Saturday, following a 106-105 overtime loss to the Lakers the night before. Golden State led the Lakers by seven points entering the fourth quarter. Overall, the Warriors have been playing better than their recent straight record would seem to indicate, as Golden State has led entering the fourth quarter in seven of their last nine games.

San Antonio has won and covered five games in a row and overall the defending world champions are 36-10 SU this season and 15-7 SU on the road. Despite a solid win/loss percentage, oddsmakers have overrated the Spurs as evidenced by the team’s lackluster 22-23 ATS record.

The Spurs now must play their third away game in just four nights and must travel relentlessly following an 86-82 win at Portland. San Antonio is shorthanded as veteran backups Nick Van Excel (16 minutes per game) and Robert Horry (19 minutes per game) are questionable with injuries and did not play last night.

The Spurs dominated the first meeting in Golden State on November 23. San Antonio led 66-36 at halftime and outscored the Warriors 55-38 percent.

STEVE MERRIL is a professional sports handicapper and a documented member of The Professional Handicappers League. Get your Premium plays here.