Heat vs. Bucks: NBA odds, Picks and Predictions
Heat vs. Bucks Odds
| Heat Odds | +3 |
| Bucks Odds | -3 |
| Over/Under | 220.5 |
| Date | Fri, Feb. 24 |
| Time | 7:30 p.m. |
| TV | ESPN |
On Friday, the Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks will meet at the Fiserv Forum. Entering play, Miami (32-27) owns the seventh-best record in the Eastern Conference. Milwaukee (41-17) is 9.5 games better than Miami in the standings, and only one game behind the Boston Celtics for the top-seed. Nevertheless, oddsmakers are expecting a tightly-contested affair between these two teams tonight, pricing Milwaukee as 3-point home favorites on the spread.
Miami Heat
Lowry OUT
Kyle Lowry will miss tonight’s game with left knee soreness, but his absence is arguably a good thing for the Heat. Per Cleaning the Glass, Miami ranks in the 28th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 73rd percentile in defensive efficiency with Lowry on the floor this season, compared to the 33rd percentile in offensive efficiency and the 82nd percentile in defensive efficiency when he is on the sidelines.
Miami is 22-22 when Lowry is in the lineup this year, compared to 10-5 when he is in street clothes.
Who will step up for Miami?
Per CourtIQ, Jimmy Butler (+1.7%) sees the largest increase in usage this season when Lowry is off of the floor. In these situations, he is averaging 25.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per 36 minutes of action.
Since January 16, Butler has scored at least 22 points in five of seven contests with Lowry out of the lineup, including two games with 32 points or more. Expect him to be heavily involved on the offensive end of the floor this evening.
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Milwaukee Bucks
Middleton making a difference
Khris Middleton returned to the floor for the Bucks on January 23, and the team is a perfect 12-0 since that point. Despite playing on a minutes restriction in his return from injury, Middleton has been highly effective. In January, he averaged 12.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in only 16.4 minutes per game. In February, Middleton is averaging 18.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists on an efficient 50.7% shooting from the field in 22.2 minutes per game.
Antetokounmpo listed as questionable
Ahead of tip-off on Friday, Giannis Antetokounmpo is listed as questionable due to a right wrist sprain. Per Cleaning the Glass, Milwaukee ranks in the 58th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 96th percentile in defensive efficiency with Antetokounmpo on the floor this year, compared to the 32nd percentile in offensive efficiency and the 68th percentile in defensive efficiency when he is on the sidelines.
Heat vs. Bucks – Picks & Predictions
Bettors should wait to confirm the status of Giannis Antetokounmpo before placing any wagers on this contest. However, if Antetokounmpo is active this evening, it would be a mistake to miss out on an opportunity to bet on the Milwaukee Bucks at a playable moneyline price in their home building.
In 29 home games this year, Milwaukee is 24-5 and ranks in the top-nine in both offensive and defensive efficiency as a team. Though the Miami Heat are better with Kyle Lowry out of the lineup, it is still an extremely difficult task to expect them to go on the road and come away with an upset in this spot. Trust the home favorites if Antetokounmpo suits-up.
PICK: Bucks ML (-155, BetMGM)
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