Last week the Milwaukee Bucks were living the high life. First seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs belonged to Milwaukee. And the gambling public was storming the betting window for future market action on the Bucks. However, just one week later, the Bucks NBA betting prospects flipped upside down. To illuminate, the Bucks lost game one of their Eastern Conference series to the Miami Heat. Even worse, Giannis Antetokounmpo left the game with a back injury. Now, the Miami Heat rate a solid chance at an unthinkable upset. Especially if the Greek Freak can’t answer the bell.
2023 NBA Playoffs First Round Series Miami Heat vs. Milwaukee Bucks
| Date and Time: | Wednesday, April 19, 2023, 9 P.M. ET. |
|---|---|
| Location: | Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI. |
| TV Coverage: | NBA TV |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heat | +6½ (-110) | 219 (-110) | +205 |  |
| Bucks | -6½ (-110) | 219 (-110) | -255 | |
| ||||
Miami Heat vs. Milwaukee Bucks SBG Odds Overview
As mentioned earlier, the injury status of Giannis changes everything. The Greek Freak has an offshore betting status of the day-to-day.
Heat vs. Bucks Series Schedule
All times listed are Eastern. (* – if necessary)
- Game 1: Heat 130, Bucks 117
- Game 2: Heat at Bucks, Wednesday, April 19 (9 p.m., NBA TV)
- Game 3: Bucks at Heat, Saturday, April 22 (7:30 p.m., ESPN)
- Game 4: Bucks at Heat, Monday, April 24 (TBD)
- Game 5: Heat at Bucks, Wednesday, April 26 (TBD)*
- Game 6: Bucks at Heat, Friday, April 28 (TBD)*
- Game 7: Heat at Bucks, Sunday, April 30 (TBD)*
Miami Heat Team Overview
The Miami Heat are 44-38 straight up, 31-49-2 against the spread, and 41-41 over/under the NBA betting total. Late on, Miami has covered four out of their last five games. While the Heat have gone over the total in five of its previous six matchups. Miami has NBA metrics of 30th for scoring offense, 28th for field goal percentage, 27th for 3-point field goal percentage, 2nd for free throw percentage, and 27th for offensive rebounding. In comparison, on defense, the Heat have NBA metrics of 2nd for scoring defense, 22nd for field goal percentage permitted, 22nd for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 6th for defensive rebounding.
Milwaukee Bucks Team Overview
The Milwaukee Bucs are 58-24 straight up, 44-36-2 against the spread, and 41-41 over/under the total. Late on, Milwaukee has covered two out of their last six games. While the Bucks have gone over the total in six of its previous eight matchups.
Milwaukee has NBA metrics of 8th for scoring offense, 19th for field goal percentage, 10th for 3-point field goal percentage, 29th for free throw percentage, and 1st for offensive rebounding. In comparison on defense, the Bucks have NBA metrics of 14th for scoring defense, 2nd for field goal percentage permitted, 8th for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 20th for defensive rebounding.
Heat Take Advantage of Huge Break
Jimmy Butler had 35 points and 11 assists for Miami. And the Heat capitalized on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s injury to beat the Bucks 130-117 in the Eastern Conference playoff opener. Correlate that Butler’s dazzling performance enabled the Heat to withstand the exit of Tyler Herro. Specifically, Herro broke his right hand while diving for a loose ball just before halftime.
Now the Bucks wait to learn how long Antetokounmpo might be out because of a lower back bruise. Antetokounmpo was driving to the basket with 4:13 left in the first quarter when he got fouled by Kevin Love and landed hard on his backside.
Heat vs. Bucks SBG Free Pick
In this situation, Miami offers vastly more potential value.
Heat vs. Bucks SBG Best Bet: Miami Heat.