Heat vs. Bucks Prediction: NBA Playoff Picks, Odds & Predictions
Heat vs. Bucks Prediction – Monday, May 24
Game 1 of this series was the first NBA Playoff game of 2021 and it did not disappoint. The Heat’s defense showed up, limiting opportunities for the Bucks. Unfortunately, they shot the ball poorly and it ultimately led to an OT loss. So, let’s make some Heat vs. Bucks predictions for Game 2.
Heat vs. Bucks Odds
| Team | Moneyline | ML Public Betting % | Point Spread | Point Spread Public Betting % | Total Points | Total Points Public Betting % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Heat | +166 | 41% | +4.5 -109 | 58% | O221.5 -105 | 51% |
| Milwaukee Bucks | -180 | 59% | -4.5 -110 | 42% | U221.5 -105 | 49% |
Where to watch Heat vs. Bucks
Time: 7:30 pm ET
TV: TNT
Heat vs. Bucks
This matchup is interesting for a bunch of different reasons, and they all showed their head in Game 1 of the series. Giannis Antetokounmpo is a mismatch for every single team, but the Heat do an exceptionally good job guarding him. It wasn’t Giannis that beat Miami in Game 1, it was really Khris Middleton.
Miami Heat
One of the reasons this series was so intriguing on paper is because of the way Miami has successfully guarded Giannis in the past. Bam Adebayo does as good of a job as anyone in the league trying to slow down the Greek Freak and guys like Jimmy Butler and Trevor Ariza provide great help defense to try and limit what he does.
Unfortunately, it was the offensive side of the ball that let the Heat down in Game 1. They shot a putrid 36.4% from the field, including a 4-22 performance from Jimmy Butler. If the Heat are going to win, they’re going to need Butler to play way better than that.
Tyler Herro, Kendrick Nunn and Bam Adebayo all struggled to find any rhythm offensively and, in the end, it cost them a game where they played great defense and probably should have won.
Milwaukee Bucks
Part of the reason people were so excited for this Bucks team this season was because of the depth they had this season compared to other seasons in the past. And, on a night where Giannis played good but not great, that depth carried them to a Game 1 win.
Khris Middleton scored 27 points, including the game winner in overtime that put the Bucks ahead for good. And Brook Lopez and Jrue Holiday also came to play, putting up 18 and 20 points, respectively.
The issue for the Bucks was bench scoring. They didn’t have a single bench player finish is double-figures and got zero points from P.J. Tucker in 18 minutes. If they want to win these games more comfortably, they are going to need guys like Tucker to show up and support the stars on the team.
Heat vs. Bucks Prediction
I fully expected the Game 2 spread to be much closer, but it’s still sitting at 4.5 points just a day before game time. I think the Bucks are the better team, I think they win Game 2, but if you’re giving me 4.5 points, I’m taking it. The Heat still matchup great against this Bucks team and if they can get some shots to drop this time around we could be in for an upset. Let’s assume Jimmy Butler doesn’t make 4 of 22 shots and instead comes to play and we should get an easy Miami cover.
Heat vs. Bucks Prediction & Pick
Heat +4.5 @ -109 (Click to bet)