The third-seeded Bucks had a surprisingly easy time in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series with the sixth-seeded Heat – but the task becomes more difficult in Game 3 on Thursday.
The Bucks jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the series with Monday’s 132-98 home rout, leaving the Heat scrambling for answers as they look to defend their Eastern Conference title with the series shifting to South Beach.
Bucks vs. Heat NBA Playoff Odds
The Bucks enter Game 3 as slight favourites, and a whopping 87 percent of Sports Interaction bettors are siding with the visitors. It will be interesting to see where the sharp money lands here, given that Milwaukee is just 14-22 ATS on the road this season. The Bucks are also just 2-7 ATS over their last nine games overall, while the Heat are on a 6-2 ATS heater despite that 34-point drubbing last time out at Fiserv Forum.
The total for Thursday’s Game 3 is set at 226.5, with the Over and Under carrying identical -110 odds. And 69 percent of Sports Interaction customers like the O226.5 play here, despite the prevailing trend between the teams. The Bucks and Heat have converted the Under in 12 of their last 18 meetings, which might somewhat negate the fact that Miami is on an incredible 12-3 O/U run in its last 15 contests overall.
Milwaukee Bucks
What a difference a game made for the Bucks, who went from ice-cold to red-hot from the 3-point line to exert their dominance. After shooting just 5-of-31 from long range in a narrow Game 1 win, everything went right for Milwaukee in Game 2 as the visitors connected on 22 of their 53 attempts from long range – a playoff franchise record for 3-point makes in a game. The Bucks also held Miami under 100 points for the first time in 19 playoff games.
Miami Heat
After shooting a blistering 20-of-50 from deep in Game 1, the Heat couldn’t buy a bucket from long range in Game 2, going just 8-for-28. Those eight 3-pointers were two fewer than the Bucks had in the first quarter alone – and if this series is ultimately decided from beyond the arc, the Bucks (5th in the NBA in 3-point shooting during the regular season) have a significant edge over the Heat (19th in long-range success rate).
NBA Playoff Prediction: Who Will Win Bucks vs. Heat?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 25 May 4:17am | MIL | -1 -106 | O +227.5 -110 |
| Closing 27 May 9:05pm | MIL | -2 -110 | O +224.5 -110 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Bucks Team Leaders
| Points |
28.15 |
| Assists |
6.05 |
| Rebounds |
11 |
| FG% |
62.5 |
| Steals |
1.63 |
| Blocks |
1.47 |
| Points |
21.46 |
| Assists |
7.1 |
| Rebounds |
8.95 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
2.08 |
| Blocks |
1.03 |
| Points |
30.19 |
| Assists |
8.65 |
| Rebounds |
12.81 |
| FG% |
60 |
| Steals |
1.65 |
| Blocks |
1.48 |
| Points |
16 |
| Assists |
7 |
| Rebounds |
9.25 |
| FG% |
75 |
| Steals |
1.25 |
| Blocks |
0.67 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Heat Team Leaders
| Points |
28.15 |
| Assists |
6.05 |
| Rebounds |
11 |
| FG% |
62.5 |
| Steals |
1.63 |
| Blocks |
1.47 |
| Points |
21.46 |
| Assists |
7.1 |
| Rebounds |
8.95 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
2.08 |
| Blocks |
1.03 |
| Points |
30.19 |
| Assists |
8.65 |
| Rebounds |
12.81 |
| FG% |
60 |
| Steals |
1.65 |
| Blocks |
1.48 |
| Points |
16 |
| Assists |
7 |
| Rebounds |
9.25 |
| FG% |
75 |
| Steals |
1.25 |
| Blocks |
0.67 |
Injuries
Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF)
Sam Merrill (PG)
Sam Merrill (PG)
Jordan Nwora (PF)
Donte DiVincenzo (SG)
Jeff Teague (PG)
Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF)
Khris Middleton (SF)
P.J. Tucker (SF)
Khris Middleton (SF)
Goran Dragic (PG)
Jimmy Butler (PF)
Kendrick Nunn (PG)
Jimmy Butler (PF)
Andre Iguodala (SG)
Jimmy Butler (PF)
Andre Iguodala (SG)
Goran Dragic (PG)
Nemanja Bjelica (PF)
Gabe Vincent (SG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 17 / 07 / 21 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Antetokounmpo is going through the league's health and safety protocols, and he will miss an undetermined length of time. |
|||||
| Sam Merrill (PG) | Ques Tues | Ankle - 17 / 07 / 21 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Merrill has a sprained right ankle and is questionable for Game 6 of the NBA Final. |
|||||
| Sam Merrill (PG) | Ques Sun | Ankle - 09 / 06 / 21 | 10-7 | 7-8-2 | + - |
|
Merrill is dealing with a right ankle sprain, and it is unknown if he will be in the lineup for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Nets. |
|||||
| Jordan Nwora (PF) | Ques Fri | Thigh - 07 / 06 / 21 | 10-8 | 7-9-2 | + - |
|
Nwora is bothered by a left thigh contusion, and it is unclear if he will partake in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals versus the Hawks. |
|||||
| Donte DiVincenzo (SG) | out for season | Foot - 28 / 05 / 21 | 12-8 | 8-10-2 | + - |
|
DiVincenzo suffered a tendon injury in his left foot and will miss the remainder of the season. |
|||||
| Jeff Teague (PG) | Ques Thurs | Knee - 21 / 05 / 21 | 13-10 | 10-11-2 | + - |
|
Teague is nursing a sore left knee, and it is unknown if he will dress for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Heat. |
|||||
| Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF) | Mid June | Knee - 17 / 05 / 21 | 14-10 | 10-12-2 | + - |
|
Antetokounmpo is battling right patella tendon soreness, and it is anticipated that he will be out until the middle of June. |
|||||
| Khris Middleton (SF) | Ques Sat | Ankle - 16 / 05 / 21 | 14-10 | 10-12-2 | + - |
|
Middleton is dealing with left ankle soreness, and it is unclear if he will take the court against the Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| P.J. Tucker (SF) | Prob Fri | Neck - 06 / 05 / 21 | 14-15 | 14-13-2 | + - |
|
Tucker exited the previous contest with a neck and jaw injury, but it is projected that he will dress for Friday's clash with the Rockets. |
|||||
| Khris Middleton (SF) | Prob Fri | Knee - 05 / 05 / 21 | 15-15 | 14-14-2 | + - |
|
Middleton missed the last game with right knee soreness, but it is likely that he will take on the Rockets on Friday. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goran Dragic (PG) | Ques Sun | Rest - 16 / 05 / 21 | 2-3 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Dragic is projected to receive a day of rest on Sunday versus the Pistons. |
|||||
| Jimmy Butler (PF) | Ques Sat | Back - 15 / 05 / 21 | 3-3 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Butler is nursing a lower-back injury, and it is unclear if he will be available for the Eastern Conference first round versus the Bucks. |
|||||
| Kendrick Nunn (PG) | Ques Sat | Calf - 13 / 05 / 21 | 4-3 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Nunn exited the last game with left calf soreness, and it remains to be seen if he will dress for Saturday's battle with the Bucks. |
|||||
| Jimmy Butler (PF) | Ques Thurs | Eye - 12 / 05 / 21 | 4-3 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Butler sustained an eye injury in the previous game, and it is unknown if he will take on the 76ers on Thursday. |
|||||
| Andre Iguodala (SG) | Ques Sun | Quadricep - 08 / 05 / 21 | 6-3 | 5-4 | + - |
|
Iguodala is tending to a quadricep injury, and it is unknown if he will be in the lineup for Sunday's game against he Celtics. |
|||||
| Jimmy Butler (PF) | Prob Fri | Flu - 04 / 05 / 21 | 7-4 | 7-4 | + - |
|
Butler missed the last game due to flu-like symptoms, but it is expected that he will face the Timberwolves on Friday. |
|||||
| Andre Iguodala (SG) | Prob Tues | Hip - 03 / 05 / 21 | 7-4 | 7-4 | + - |
|
Iguodala is dealing with a hip injury, but it is likely that he will suit up against the Mavericks on Tuesday. |
|||||
| Goran Dragic (PG) | Prob Sun | Back - 02 / 05 / 21 | 8-4 | 8-4 | + - |
|
Dragic is bothered by a back injury, but he is projected to lace up for Sunday's game against the Hornets. |
|||||
| Nemanja Bjelica (PF) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 01 / 05 / 21 | 8-4 | 9-4 | + - |
|
Bjelica is sidelined due to a stomach illness, and it is unclear when he will be available to return to the lineup. |
|||||
| Gabe Vincent (SG) | Ques Sun | Knee - 30 / 04 / 21 | 8-4 | 9-4 | + - |
|
Vincent is tending to a knee injury, and it is unknow if he will play in Sunday's game versus the Hornets. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 25 May 4:17am MIL -1 -106 O +227.5 -110 Closing 27 May 9:05pm MIL -2 -110 O +224.5 -110 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Bucks Team Leaders
Points 28.15
Assists 6.05
Rebounds 11
FG% 62.5
Steals 1.63
Blocks 1.47
Points 21.46
Assists 7.1
Rebounds 8.95
FG% 100
Steals 2.08
Blocks 1.03
Points 30.19
Assists 8.65
Rebounds 12.81
FG% 60
Steals 1.65
Blocks 1.48
Points 16
Assists 7
Rebounds 9.25
FG% 75
Steals 1.25
Blocks 0.67
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Heat Team Leaders
Points 28.15
Assists 6.05
Rebounds 11
FG% 62.5
Steals 1.63
Blocks 1.47
Points 21.46
Assists 7.1
Rebounds 8.95
FG% 100
Steals 2.08
Blocks 1.03
Points 30.19
Assists 8.65
Rebounds 12.81
FG% 60
Steals 1.65
Blocks 1.48
Points 16
Assists 7
Rebounds 9.25
FG% 75
Steals 1.25
Blocks 0.67
-
Injuries
Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF)
Out indefinitely Illness - 17 / 07 / 21Sam Merrill (PG)
Ques Tues Ankle - 17 / 07 / 21Sam Merrill (PG)
Ques Sun Ankle - 09 / 06 / 21Jordan Nwora (PF)
Ques Fri Thigh - 07 / 06 / 21Donte DiVincenzo (SG)
out for season Foot - 28 / 05 / 21Jeff Teague (PG)
Ques Thurs Knee - 21 / 05 / 21Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF)
Mid June Knee - 17 / 05 / 21Khris Middleton (SF)
Ques Sat Ankle - 16 / 05 / 21P.J. Tucker (SF)
Prob Fri Neck - 06 / 05 / 21Khris Middleton (SF)
Prob Fri Knee - 05 / 05 / 21Goran Dragic (PG)
Ques Sun Rest - 16 / 05 / 21Jimmy Butler (PF)
Ques Sat Back - 15 / 05 / 21Kendrick Nunn (PG)
Ques Sat Calf - 13 / 05 / 21Jimmy Butler (PF)
Ques Thurs Eye - 12 / 05 / 21Andre Iguodala (SG)
Ques Sun Quadricep - 08 / 05 / 21Jimmy Butler (PF)
Prob Fri Flu - 04 / 05 / 21Andre Iguodala (SG)
Prob Tues Hip - 03 / 05 / 21Goran Dragic (PG)
Prob Sun Back - 02 / 05 / 21Nemanja Bjelica (PF)
Out indefinitely Illness - 01 / 05 / 21Gabe Vincent (SG)
Ques Sun Knee - 30 / 04 / 21Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF) Out indefinitely Illness - 17 / 07 / 21 2-0 1-1 + - Antetokounmpo is going through the league's health and safety protocols, and he will miss an undetermined length of time.
Sam Merrill (PG) Ques Tues Ankle - 17 / 07 / 21 2-0 1-1 + - Merrill has a sprained right ankle and is questionable for Game 6 of the NBA Final.
Sam Merrill (PG) Ques Sun Ankle - 09 / 06 / 21 10-7 7-8-2 + - Merrill is dealing with a right ankle sprain, and it is unknown if he will be in the lineup for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Nets.
Jordan Nwora (PF) Ques Fri Thigh - 07 / 06 / 21 10-8 7-9-2 + - Nwora is bothered by a left thigh contusion, and it is unclear if he will partake in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals versus the Hawks.
Donte DiVincenzo (SG) out for season Foot - 28 / 05 / 21 12-8 8-10-2 + - DiVincenzo suffered a tendon injury in his left foot and will miss the remainder of the season.
Jeff Teague (PG) Ques Thurs Knee - 21 / 05 / 21 13-10 10-11-2 + - Teague is nursing a sore left knee, and it is unknown if he will dress for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Heat.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF) Mid June Knee - 17 / 05 / 21 14-10 10-12-2 + - Antetokounmpo is battling right patella tendon soreness, and it is anticipated that he will be out until the middle of June.
Khris Middleton (SF) Ques Sat Ankle - 16 / 05 / 21 14-10 10-12-2 + - Middleton is dealing with left ankle soreness, and it is unclear if he will take the court against the Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
P.J. Tucker (SF) Prob Fri Neck - 06 / 05 / 21 14-15 14-13-2 + - Tucker exited the previous contest with a neck and jaw injury, but it is projected that he will dress for Friday's clash with the Rockets.
Khris Middleton (SF) Prob Fri Knee - 05 / 05 / 21 15-15 14-14-2 + - Middleton missed the last game with right knee soreness, but it is likely that he will take on the Rockets on Friday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Goran Dragic (PG) Ques Sun Rest - 16 / 05 / 21 2-3 2-3 + - Dragic is projected to receive a day of rest on Sunday versus the Pistons.
Jimmy Butler (PF) Ques Sat Back - 15 / 05 / 21 3-3 2-4 + - Butler is nursing a lower-back injury, and it is unclear if he will be available for the Eastern Conference first round versus the Bucks.
Kendrick Nunn (PG) Ques Sat Calf - 13 / 05 / 21 4-3 3-4 + - Nunn exited the last game with left calf soreness, and it remains to be seen if he will dress for Saturday's battle with the Bucks.
Jimmy Butler (PF) Ques Thurs Eye - 12 / 05 / 21 4-3 3-4 + - Butler sustained an eye injury in the previous game, and it is unknown if he will take on the 76ers on Thursday.
Andre Iguodala (SG) Ques Sun Quadricep - 08 / 05 / 21 6-3 5-4 + - Iguodala is tending to a quadricep injury, and it is unknown if he will be in the lineup for Sunday's game against he Celtics.
Jimmy Butler (PF) Prob Fri Flu - 04 / 05 / 21 7-4 7-4 + - Butler missed the last game due to flu-like symptoms, but it is expected that he will face the Timberwolves on Friday.
Andre Iguodala (SG) Prob Tues Hip - 03 / 05 / 21 7-4 7-4 + - Iguodala is dealing with a hip injury, but it is likely that he will suit up against the Mavericks on Tuesday.
Goran Dragic (PG) Prob Sun Back - 02 / 05 / 21 8-4 8-4 + - Dragic is bothered by a back injury, but he is projected to lace up for Sunday's game against the Hornets.
Nemanja Bjelica (PF) Out indefinitely Illness - 01 / 05 / 21 8-4 9-4 + - Bjelica is sidelined due to a stomach illness, and it is unclear when he will be available to return to the lineup.
Gabe Vincent (SG) Ques Sun Knee - 30 / 04 / 21 8-4 9-4 + - Vincent is tending to a knee injury, and it is unknow if he will play in Sunday's game versus the Hornets.