The Milwaukee Bucks travel to the Kaseya Center to do battle with the Miami Heat on Thursday night. Here’s a Heat vs. Bucks prediction. This article will include a Heat vs. Bucks pick.
Milwaukee Bucks Betting Preview
The Milwaukee Bucks have been in a slump, as they’ve lost six of their last seven games overall and they will be eager to snap a two-game skid after getting scorched by the Suns in a 129-114 loss on Tuesday. Kyle Kuzma led the team with 33 points on 12 of 21 shooting, Giannis Antetokounmpo added 22 points on 10 of 18 shooting, and Myles Turner tallied 22 points with nine rebounds and three assists. As a team, the Bucks shot 51 percent from the field and 16 of 38 from the 3-point line as they looked to be in good shape after pouring in 35 points in the second quarter to take the lead at halftime, but the Bucks couldn’t hit anything in the fourth quarter, where they scored just 17 points to get blown out in the end. The bench combined for just 11 points and Cam Thomas is responsible for eight of those points.
Miami Heat Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Miami Heat have been in red-hot form lately, as they’ve won nine of their last 11 games overall and they will be eager to build on their current six-game win streak after blowing past the Wizards in a 150-129 home win on Tuesday. Bam Adebayo led the team with a historic 83 points on 20 of 43 shooting, Simone Fontecchio added 18 points on six of seven shooting off the bench, and Davion Mitchell chipped in with 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists. As a team, the Heat shot 50 percent from the field and 13 of 43 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 40 points in the first quarter thanks to a hot start from Adebayo but he kept making the shots, so the Heat kept feeding him.
Why the Miami Heat will win
- The Bucks have lost each of their last seven road games following a home loss.
- The Heat have won each of their last six games.
- The Heat have covered the spread in each of their last six games.
- The Bucks have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five games against Eastern Conference opponents.
Why the Milwaukee Bucks will win
- The Heat have lost 10 of their last 12 games as favorites against Central Division opponents following a win.
- The Bucks have won each of their last three games on the road as underdogs.
- The Heat have failed to cover the spread in 19 of their last 20 games as favorites against Central Division opponents following a win.
- The Bucks have covered the spread in each of their last six games against the Heat.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Bucks’ last four games against Southeast Division opponents has gone OVER the total points line.
- Eight of the Heat’s last 10 games as home favorites against the Bucks have gone UNDER the total points line.
Miami Heat Player Facts
- Bam Adebayo is the only player in the league to have scored 60+ points in a game this season.
- Davion Mitchell has recorded 13 games with 4+ assists and zero turnovers this season—the most of any player in the league.
Milwaukee Bucks Player Facts
- Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of only two players to have recorded a 30-point, 20-rebound game this season.
- Myles Turner is one of only three qualified players in the league averaging at least 1.5 threes and 1.5 blocks this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Heat rank 1st in the league for points per game this season (120.6).
- The Heat rank 1st in the league for field goals made per game this season (43.6).
- The Bucks rank 30th in the league for offensive rebounds per game this season (8.8).
- The Bucks rank 30th in the league for free throw percentage this season (73.2%).
Heat vs Bucks Prediction
The Bucks could be shorthanded, as they have listed Kevin Porter Jr., Bobby Portis and Jericho Sims as questionable, while the Heat have ruled out Andrew Wiggins and Norman Powell, with Kel’el Ware and Tyler Herro both questionable. The last time these teams met, it was the Bucks who won by 128-117 back on Feb 24, but these teams have been trending in opposite directions since that meeting, as the Bucks have been on a nosedive, while the Heat have been playing some of their best basketball of the season. The Bucks could be missing two of their best players in this meeting also, with Porter Jr. and Portis both questionable, so even though the Heat have a couple injuries of their own to worry about, the line is reasonable, so I will lay the points with the Heat at home.