Miami Heat vs Milwaukee Bucks: Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds (2/4/23)

The Miami Heat visit the Milwaukee Bucks in a big Eastern Conference clash. The Heat are coming off a close road loss against the Knicks, while the Bucks are coming off a close home win against the Clippers. This should be an interesting matchup for Eastern Conference playoff standings. Let’s take a look at the odds and make some picks and predictions for this game!

Miami Heat vs. Milwaukee Bucks Betting Odds

The Milwaukee Bucks are 5-point home favorites against the Miami Heat and are at -200 on the money line. There’s also no over/under listed yet. It makes sense that the Bucks are favored by this much because the the Heat are dealing with more injuries than them, and the Bucks are the home team too. The over/under will probably be lower because both of these teams are very good on defense. This spread should also stay where it’s at before tip-off too.

Miami Heat vs. Milwaukee Bucks Prediction

The pick: Milwaukee Bucks -5

The Milwaukee Bucks have been very good all year and are coming off a huge comeback win against the Clippers at home.

Giannis Antetokounmpo has been incredible this year. He leads the Bucks in scoring and rebounding. He’s third in the NBA in scoring too. Jrue Holiday is second on the Bucks in scoring and also leads the team in assists and steals. He’s one of the best defenders in the NBA too. Brook Lopez has been very good and has had to step up more down low with Bobby Portis being injured. He leads the team in blocks too. Khris Middleton is also still a key cog for the Bucks, and needs to play with more consistency.

As a team, the Bucks excel more on defense than on offense. They are 5th in points allowed at 111.8 per game, first in rebounds per game at 49 per game, and they are top-10 in blocks per game too. They are also top-10 in point differential too.

On the other side, the Miami Heat started the year slow, but seemed to have found more consistency recently. Jimmy Butler is the standout for Miami. He leads the team in scoring and in steals per game. Bam Adebayo is right behind him in scoring and also leads the team in rebounds and blocks per game. Tyler Herro has also been great for the Heat this year and is the final of three players they have that are averaging 20 or more points. Max Strus has also been very good on the wing when needed.

As a team, the Heat excel more on defense than on offense this season. They are second in the NBA in points allowed at 108 points per game.

The Heat are dealing with more injuries right now than the Bucks and is a good enough reason alone to take Milwaukee to cover. Milwaukee also has the best player in this game and is at home. The Bucks should win and cover this game, but the Heat might hang around for a bit before they do.

Betting Trends

Heat are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.

Bucks are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS loss.

Key Matchups

Can Caleb Martin matchup with Giannis Antetokounmpo? Can Khris Middleton matchup with Jimmy Butler?

Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. Caleb Martin

Giannis Antetokounmpo is having a monster year this year. He’s averaging 32 points, 5 assists, and 12 rebounds per game for the season. He’ll be matched up against Caleb Martin most of the game, who averages 10 points, 2 assists, and 5 rebounds per game for the season. Giannis has a size advantage over everyone on the Heat’s roster, so this matchup will be interesting to watch. It will also be interesting because not many people have been able to slow down Giannis this year.

Jimmy Butler vs. Khris Middleton

Jimmy Butler has been great this year. He averages 22 points, 5 assists, and 6 rebounds per game for the season. He’ll be matched up against Khris Middleton most of the game, who averages 12 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds per game for the season. Jimmy Butler is one of the best two-way players in the NBA and Middleton is very good on both ends too. This is an interesting matchup because both players are very similar with playing styles, so it will be interesting to see who can win out here.

Miami Heat Starting Lineup

PG: Kyle Lowry
SG: Tyler Herro
SF: Jimmy Butler
PF: Caleb Martin
C: Bam Adebayo

Milwaukee Bucks Starting Lineups

PG: Jrue Holiday
SG: Grayson Allen
SF: Pat Connaughton
PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
C: Brook Lopez

Key Injuries

Miami Heat Injuries: SG Victor Oladipo (Ankle) Q, SF Duncan Robinson (Finger) O

Milwaukee Bucks Injuries: PF Bobby Portis (Knee) O