The Miami Heat battle the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 2 of their 1st-round playoff series on Wednesday. Tip from Fiserv Forum is set for 9 p.m. ET (NBA TV). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Heat vs. Bucks odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
Miami leads the series 1-0 after covering as a 9-point road favorite on Sunday. The Heat was led in the 130-117 win by a 35-point, 11-assist performance from F Jimmy Butler and a 22-point, 9-rebound showing from C Bam Adebayo. The Heat’s biggest concern moving forward is how to replace the production of G Tyler Herro who exited the game with a fractured hand after scoring 12 points in less than 20 minutes.
The Bucks were led by 33 points from F Kris Middleton, 21 from F Bobby Portis, and a 16-point, 16-assist performance from G Jrue Holiday. F Giannis Antetokounmpo exited the game early with just 6 points after a scary fall resulting in a back injury. Replacing the ‘Greek Freak’ could prove to be challenging for Milwaukee.
Heat at Bucks odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub Lines last updated at 12:18 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Heat +200 (bet $100 to win $200) | Bucks -250 (bet $250 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Heat +6.5 (-110) | Bucks -6.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 218.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Heat at Bucks key injuries
Heat
- G Tyler Herro (hand) out
- F Nikola Jovic (back) out
- G Kyle Lowry (knee) questionable
Bucks
- F Giannis Antetokounmpo (back) doubtful
- G Wesley Matthews (out) calf
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Heat at Bucks picks and predictions
Prediction
Bucks 115, Heat 111
Moneyline
PASS.
At -250 odds, there is no profit to be made on a Bucks moneyline play.
Against the spread
LEAN HEAT +6.5 (-115).
While Milwaukee should claim a Game 2 victory, it will be tough to dominate the game and control the pace without Antetokounmpo, who will most likely be sidelined. Without his dominant presence, expect the Heat to look to Adebayo to keep them in this game.
A line of 6.5 points is too high to bet against a hot Miami team facing a Bucks team without their superstar.
Over/Under
BET OVER 218.5 (-115).
The Over hit by 26 points in Game 1 with a closing line of 221.
The Over is 6-0 in the Heat’s last 6 games and 4-1 in the Bucks’ last 5. The Over is 6-0 in the last 6 meetings between these franchises and 7-3 in the last 10 meetings overall.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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