Miami Heat vs Milwaukee Bucks betting tips and predictions for Saturday’s game in the NBA. The injury riddled Miami Heat hit the road and take on the team that eliminated them in the playoffs last season the Milwaukee Bucks. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Miami Heat
Despite not having their two best players Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, the Miami Heat were able to come out of Indiana with a big win 113-104. Led by Kyle Lowry who had 26 points and 9 assists, the Heat shot 53% as a team and were able to win their 14th game of the season. Tyler Herro also stepped up with 24 points, his play will be huge tonight if Miami wants to get anything out of Milwaukee. Both Butler and Adebayo won’t be available, which is not a good sign when you’re facing the defending champions who are on a roll. The Heat have covered only twice in their last 7 games, they have only 1 win in their last 6 vs Milwaukee. One reason to be optimistic ahead of tonight’s game is the fact that they’ve won 7 of their last 10 games vs Eastern Conference opponents.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks also have issues on the injury side of things. Brook Lopez had back surgery and will be out indefinitely. A total of 4 players are doubtful for tonight including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Demarcus Cousins, George Hill and Semi Ojeleye. After winning 8 games in a row, the defending champs let one go at Toronto 97-93 in what was their lowest scoring output this season. Giannis didn’t play, so Jrue Holiday had to step up with 26 points and 11 assists, Khris Middleton had 22, but as a team the Bucks shot only 37% from the field and 35% from downtown. They return home tonight thought where they’ve won 6 in a row, however in their last 6 games vs the Southeast Division they’ve covered just once.
Both sides are struggling to put together a competitive roster, but I think Miami is losing more with Butler and Bam being out. That didn’t bother them against Indiana, as Lowry went nuts, but tonight he faces Jrue Holiday who is one of the tougher defenders at the point guard position. I think the Bucks win this one by at least 7 points.
Milwaukee Bucks – Miami Heat Predictions & Odds
Milwaukee -5 Point Spread available at -110 odds on bet365
In the last 3 meetings the over has landed twice, but both of these teams are heavily shorthanded heading into tonight’s game. Without Giannis the Bucks managed just 93 points in the loss at Toronto, while the Heat are losing 42.3 points per game with the absence of Butler and Bam. Looking at head-to-head games played in Milwaukee we can see that 4 of the last 6 have all gone under the total and with Miami playing the 27th fastest tempo in the NBA this season I think we can expect them to slow things down in this one. Milwaukee allows just 104.4 points per game at home this season, while the Heat allow 104.6 per game at home. When playing at the Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee games have gone 2-9 on the O/U this season. I think we are in for a slower paced game here, so let’s back the under.
Under 215.5 Total Points is available at -110 odds on bet365
