Two of the top teams in the NBA’s Eastern Conference are set to go head-to-head Wednesday night as the Milwaukee Bucks travel to Miami to face the Heat.  Milwaukee downed Cleveland 112-104 on Monday for their second straight win, while the Heat went in the opposite direction, falling 105-90 to Memphis for their second straight loss.

The Bucks are 6.5-point favourites to win on the NBA odds, with a total of 217.0.

Bucks vs. Heat NBA Betting Odds

These teams are set to meet for the third time this season.  Miami blew out the Bucks 137-95 in October.  Milwaukee won the most recent meeting, 124-102 last Saturday.  The Over has hit in the last three games of this all-time head-to-head series.  There’s almost no faith in Miami for this one as about 90 per cent of Sports Interaction bettors are taking Milwaukee.  Just under 70 per cent of action is taking the Under.

The Bucks have been on a heater lately, picking up just one loss over their last 11 games.  They’re 11-14 against the spread this season and they’ve covered in four of their last five games against the Heat.  The total has gone Over in five of Milwaukee’s last six games.

After a strong start to the year, Miami has hit a rut and dropped four of their last five games.  They’re 14-11 ATS overall, but have failed to cover in four of their last five games.  The total has gone Over in five of the Heat’s last seven games overall and four of their last six at home.

Milwaukee Bucks

Giannis Antetokounmpo was once again the hero on Monday, dropping a game-high 27 points on his 27th birthday and also added 12 rebounds.  Antetokounmpo, who missed the previous two games with a calf injury, is third in league scoring with 27.6 points per game.  He also averages team-highs in rebounds (11.8) and blocks (1.7).  Khris Middleton added 21 points and eight assists on Monday, while Jrue Holiday finished with 20 points, seven rebounds and eight assists.  Milwaukee is undefeated this season with Antetokounmpo, Middleton and Holiday in the lineup.

Donte DiVincenzo is nearing a return after tearing an ankle ligament in the first round of the playoffs last season, although he’s not yet ready to play on Wednesday.  There’s been no word on George Hill‘s status.  Hill has missed the last two games with a minor knee injury.

Miami Heat

Miami was dealt a tough blow with the news that Jimmy Butler reaggravated a tailbone injury in Monday’s loss and won’t be available against Milwaukee.  Butler had missed the previous four games with a bruised tailbone before a hard fall forced him out of the game on Monday.  It’s a big loss for the Heat, as Butler averages team-highs in points per game (22.8) and steals (2.2).

Tyler Herro and former Toronto Raptor Kyle Lowry will be leaned on heavily with Butler out of the lineup.  Herro is averaging 21.8 ppg, while Lowry is averaging 13.0 ppg and a team-high 7.6 assists.  Miami will also be without Markieff Morris (neck) and Bam Adebayo (thumb).

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Bucks vs. Heat?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Bucks Team Leaders

MIL

Points	Giannis Antetokounmpo 29.88
Assists	Jrue Holiday 6.82
Rebounds	Giannis Antetokounmpo 11.61
FG%	Giannis Antetokounmpo 55.3
Steals	Jrue Holiday 1.61
Blocks	Giannis Antetokounmpo 1.36

MIA

Points	Jimmy Butler 21.39
Assists	Kyle Lowry 7.52
Rebounds	Bam Adebayo 10.07
FG%	Dewayne Dedmon 56.6
Steals	Jimmy Butler 1.65
Blocks	Bam Adebayo 0.79

MIL

Points	Giannis Antetokounmpo 31.67
Assists	Khris Middleton 7
Rebounds	Giannis Antetokounmpo 14.17
FG%	Thanasis Antetokounmpo 66.7
Steals	Jrue Holiday 1.75
Blocks	Brook Lopez 1.5

MIA

Points	Jimmy Butler 25.6
Assists	Jimmy Butler 4.6
Rebounds	Bam Adebayo 7.75
FG%	Omer Yurtseven 66.7
Steals	Jimmy Butler 2
Blocks	Bam Adebayo 0.81

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Heat Team Leaders

MIL

Points	Giannis Antetokounmpo 29.88
Assists	Jrue Holiday 6.82
Rebounds	Giannis Antetokounmpo 11.61
FG%	Giannis Antetokounmpo 55.3
Steals	Jrue Holiday 1.61
Blocks	Giannis Antetokounmpo 1.36

MIA

Points	Jimmy Butler 21.39
Assists	Kyle Lowry 7.52
Rebounds	Bam Adebayo 10.07
FG%	Dewayne Dedmon 56.6
Steals	Jimmy Butler 1.65
Blocks	Bam Adebayo 0.79

MIL

Points	Giannis Antetokounmpo 31.67
Assists	Khris Middleton 7
Rebounds	Giannis Antetokounmpo 14.17
FG%	Thanasis Antetokounmpo 66.7
Steals	Jrue Holiday 1.75
Blocks	Brook Lopez 1.5

MIA

Points	Jimmy Butler 25.6
Assists	Jimmy Butler 4.6
Rebounds	Bam Adebayo 7.75
FG%	Omer Yurtseven 66.7
Steals	Jimmy Butler 2
Blocks	Bam Adebayo 0.81

Injuries

Milwaukee

George Hill (PG)

Prob Wed Abdominal - 10 / 05 / 22

Serge Ibaka (PF)

Prob Wed Illness - 09 / 05 / 22

Luca Vildoza (PG)

Prob Wed Illness - 24 / 04 / 22

Bobby Portis (PF)

Prob Fri Eye - 21 / 04 / 22

Bobby Portis (PF)

Prob Wed Calf - 19 / 04 / 22

Jordan Nwora (PF)

Prob Wed Back - 17 / 04 / 22

Jrue Holiday (PG)

day-to-day Rest - 10 / 04 / 22

Serge Ibaka (PF)

Prob Sun Illness - 10 / 04 / 22

Brook Lopez (C)

Out Sun Rest - 09 / 04 / 22

Bobby Portis (PF)

Ques Sun Shoulder - 09 / 04 / 22

Miami

Max Strus (PG)

Ques Fri Hamstring - 26 / 05 / 22

Gabe Vincent (SG)

Ques Fri Hamstring - 26 / 05 / 22

Kyle Lowry (PG)

Ques Fri Hamstring - 26 / 05 / 22

P.J. Tucker (SF)

Ques Fri Knee - 26 / 05 / 22

Max Strus (PG)

Prob Wed Hamstring - 25 / 05 / 22

Gabe Vincent (SG)

Prob Wed Hamstring - 25 / 05 / 22

Kyle Lowry (PG)

Prob Wed Hamstring - 25 / 05 / 22

P.J. Tucker (SF)

Prob Wed Knee - 25 / 05 / 22

Tyler Herro (SG)

Ques Fri Quadricep - 22 / 05 / 22

Max Strus (PG)

Prob Mon Hamstring - 22 / 05 / 22

Injuries

Milwaukee

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
George Hill (PG)	Prob Wed	Abdominal - 10 / 05 / 22	1-2	2-1	+ -
Hill is hampered by an abdominal injury, but it is projected that he will face the Celtics on Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Serge Ibaka (PF)	Prob Wed	Illness - 09 / 05 / 22	1-2	2-2	+ -
Ibaka is ailing from an illness, but it is likely that he will be available for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Celtics.
Luca Vildoza (PG)	Prob Wed	Illness - 24 / 04 / 22	5-3	2-7	+ -
Vildoza is ailing from a non-COVID-19 illness, but it is likely that he will be available for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Bulls.
Bobby Portis (PF)	Prob Fri	Eye - 21 / 04 / 22	5-5	2-9	+ -
Portis is dealing with a right eye abrasion, but it is projected that he will hit the court against the Bulls in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Bobby Portis (PF)	Prob Wed	Calf - 19 / 04 / 22	5-5	2-9	+ -
Portis is expected to dress for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Bulls despite a right calf contusion.
Jordan Nwora (PF)	Prob Wed	Back - 17 / 04 / 22	5-6	3-9	+ -
Nwora is dealing with back soreness, but it is likely that he will take on the Bulls in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Jrue Holiday (PG)	day-to-day	Rest - 10 / 04 / 22	6-6	4-9	+ -
Holiday exited Sunday's game due to rest purposes, and he will not return.
Serge Ibaka (PF)	Prob Sun	Illness - 10 / 04 / 22	6-6	4-9	+ -
Ibaka is managing a non-COVID illness, but it is projected that he will be active against the Bulls for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Brook Lopez (C)	Out Sun	Rest - 09 / 04 / 22	6-6	4-9	+ -
Lopez will not be in the starting lineup against the Cavaliers on Sunday as he will receive a day of rest.
Bobby Portis (PF)	Ques Sun	Shoulder - 09 / 04 / 22	6-6	4-9	+ -
Portis is battling left shoulder soreness, leaving his status for Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference versus the Bulls clouded.

Miami

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Max Strus (PG)	Ques Fri	Hamstring - 26 / 05 / 22	0-2	0-2	+ -
Strus is nursing a right hamstring strain, and it is unclear if he will play in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals versus the Celtics.
Gabe Vincent (SG)	Ques Fri	Hamstring - 26 / 05 / 22	0-2	0-2	+ -
Vincent is battling a left hamstring strain, and it remains to be seen if he will battle the Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Kyle Lowry (PG)	Ques Fri	Hamstring - 26 / 05 / 22	0-2	0-2	+ -
Lowry has a left hamstring strain, and his status for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Celtics is in question.
P.J. Tucker (SF)	Ques Fri	Knee - 26 / 05 / 22	0-2	0-2	+ -
Tucker is dealing with some irritation in his left knee, and his status for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Celtics is unclear.
Max Strus (PG)	Prob Wed	Hamstring - 25 / 05 / 22	0-2	0-2	+ -
Strus is nursing a right hamstring strain, but it is projected that he will face the Heat in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Gabe Vincent (SG)	Prob Wed	Hamstring - 25 / 05 / 22	0-2	0-2	+ -
Vincent is bothered by a left hamstring strain, but it is likely that he will face the Celtics in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference. finals.
Kyle Lowry (PG)	Prob Wed	Hamstring - 25 / 05 / 22	0-2	0-2	+ -
Lowry is dealing with a left hamstring strain, but it is projected that he will participate in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals.
P.J. Tucker (SF)	Prob Wed	Knee - 25 / 05 / 22	0-2	0-2	+ -
Tucker is managing left knee irritation, but it is anticipated that he will suit up in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Tyler Herro (SG)	Ques Fri	Quadricep - 22 / 05 / 22	1-3	2-2	+ -
Herro is hindered by a quad ailment, and it is unknown if he will face the Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Max Strus (PG)	Prob Mon	Hamstring - 22 / 05 / 22	1-3	2-2	+ -
Strus is managing a strained right hamstring, but it is anticipated that he will suit up versus the Celtics in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals.