Milwaukee Bucks vs. Miami Heat Game 3 Odds, Matchups, & Picks
The No. 3 seed Milwaukee Bucks head to South Beach after taking first two games of the series against the Miami Heat. Jimmy Butler has struggled to get to the basket so far, while Giannis Antetokounmpo has scored a series total of 57 points through two games. Thursday night, however, the Heat are slight favorites at online sportsbooks. Sloan Piva is here to break down the Bucks vs. Heat Game 3 odds, and tell you why he likes a First Half NBA prop bet as one of his favorite picks of the night.
Bucks vs. Heat Game 3 Odds
First Half Odds: - 1H Spread: MIA -1.5 (+100)
- 1H Moneyline: MIA -135
- 1H Over/Under: 111.5
Bucks vs. Heat Game 3 Matchup & Picks
Milwaukee fans were likely disappointed to go from the top seed last season to the three-seed at the start of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. But Giannis and company have wasted no time turning the frowns of the Bucks faithful upside down. After a 109-107 overtime win over Miami in Game 1, and a 132-98 slaughter for the ages in Game 2, it’s Heat fans who get to feel dismayed now.
The Bucks are firing on all cylinders, thanks in large part to reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and trusty sidekicks Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday. The Greek Freak is casually averaging 28.5 points, 15.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 3.0 steals per game this series. He’s taking what the defense is giving him, and not forcing anything like he has so often in the postseasons of the past.
Antetokounmpo must be one of the biggest fans of Milwaukee’s trade for Jrue Holiday last season. The veteran guard provides this Bucks squad with an invaluable array of intangibles. His playmaking ability lessens the offensive weight on Giannis’ and Middleton’s shoulders, and his stifling defense has given Heat star Jimmy Butler fits. He finished game 1 with 20-11-3-3, and tallied 15 assists in Game 2.
Middleton, of course, has been rock solid from the jump. He hit the go-ahead jumper in Game 1, and has tallied 44 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists so far in the series. Surprisingly enough, he hasn’t been Milwaukee’s most potent weapon from long distance. It was role players Bryn Forbes (6-of-9) and Pat Connaughton (5-of-9) who packed the most punch from deep. They helped the Bucks to an unfathomable 10-of-15 mark from distance in the first quarter of Game 2, a 12-minute stretch that saw Milwaukee total 46 points.
Mike Budenholzer’s crew may not have entered the Eastern Conference Playoffs with the best record, but it sure looked like the team to beat Monday. This squad just knows how to play as a team on both sides of the court, and it executes Budenholzer’s approach on spacing and tempo with brilliance.
Milwaukee shot poorly from distance in Game 1 (just five made treys), and still managed the win thanks to tough defense and clutch playmaking. Then the flood gates opened in Game 2. Expect another W for the Bucks tonight, as the Heat continue to appear befuddled. Has Miami All-Star Bam Adebayo looked this bad since he broke out a couple years ago? Has Jimmy Buckets ever looked less clutch? Can Miami win without success from three-point land (only one player hit two treys Monday)?
The question marks outnumber the answers in Miami, where the Heat went just 15-19-2 against the spread this season. Milwaukee is a terrible matchup for the Heat—the Bucks’ combination of rim protection and perimeter D stalwarts must be giving Erik Spoelstra nightmares. And if role players keep splashing treys with video-game efficiency, this series could be over by Saturday night.
Take the superb value in Milwaukee’s +110 halftime moneyline—and consider doubling down on their -125 game line. The last time these teams met in South Beach, Milwaukee won 144-97.
NBA Picks: Bucks -125 ML, Bucks +110 1H ML
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