The Bucks took two of three games against the Heat during the regular season.
The Milwaukee Bucks had a strong season by most accounts – but not securing a top-two seed in the Eastern Conference has left them with a challenging first-round playoff matchup with the defending conference champs. The Bucks are slight favourites Saturday afternoon as they welcome the Miami Heat to Fiserv Forum. The Heat battled through injuries and COVID-19 absences to finish sixth in the East and face a tough path to defend their conference title.
Heat vs. Bucks NBA Playoff Odds
The Bucks are installed as 4.5-point favourites in the series opener after taking two of three games from the Heat in their regular-season series. The Bucks have been downright dreadful against the spread in recent games, having covered just once in their past seven outings. The Heat, on the other hand, have made bettors rather happy with a 5-1 ATS run over their past six games. Miami also has a 13-7 ATS edge in its last 20 meetings with the Bucks.
The total for Saturday’s matinee is on the high side at 227, with a slight 53 percent majority of Sports Interaction customers taking the Under. Both teams were superior Over plays during the season, with the Bucks sporting a 41-31 O/U record and the Heat going 38-34. And Miami has been positively red-hot in the Over department of late, having gone 11-2 O/U in its previous 13 games overall. That includes a 6-1 O/U mark in its last seven road games.
Miami Heat
Miami failed to build on the momentum of its incredible run to last season’s NBA finals, going just 40-32 SU to earn the final automatic playoff spot in the East – and that only came to pass because the Heat went 8-2 on their final 10 games to close out the season. The Bucks will need to keep a close eye on Jimmy Butler, who was arguably the best player in the 2019-20 playoffs and averaged 21.5 points while establishing career bests in assists (7.1) and rebounds (6.9).
Milwaukee Bucks
Finishing 20 games above .500 in a 72-game season would be good enough for most teams in the NBA – but the Bucks have to see their performance as a minor disappointment. They finished with the top scoring differential in the conference (plus-5.9) but couldn’t keep pace with Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets teams that both dealt with extended absences to star players. Milwaukee went a pedestrian 19-17 SU against teams with winning records.
NBA Playoff Prediction: Who Will Win Heat vs. Bucks?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 20 May 7:40am | MIA | -5 -110 | O +227 -110 |
| Closing 22 May 6:01pm | MIA | -6 -108 | O +227 -110 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Heat Team Leaders
| Points |
21.46 |
| Assists |
7.1 |
| Rebounds |
8.95 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
2.08 |
| Blocks |
1.03 |
| Points |
28.15 |
| Assists |
6.05 |
| Rebounds |
11 |
| FG% |
62.5 |
| Steals |
1.63 |
| Blocks |
1.47 |
| Points |
16 |
| Assists |
7 |
| Rebounds |
9.25 |
| FG% |
75 |
| Steals |
1.25 |
| Blocks |
0.67 |
| Points |
30.19 |
| Assists |
8.65 |
| Rebounds |
12.81 |
| FG% |
60 |
| Steals |
1.65 |
| Blocks |
1.48 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Bucks Team Leaders
| Points |
21.46 |
| Assists |
7.1 |
| Rebounds |
8.95 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
2.08 |
| Blocks |
1.03 |
| Points |
28.15 |
| Assists |
6.05 |
| Rebounds |
11 |
| FG% |
62.5 |
| Steals |
1.63 |
| Blocks |
1.47 |
| Points |
16 |
| Assists |
7 |
| Rebounds |
9.25 |
| FG% |
75 |
| Steals |
1.25 |
| Blocks |
0.67 |
| Points |
30.19 |
| Assists |
8.65 |
| Rebounds |
12.81 |
| FG% |
60 |
| Steals |
1.65 |
| Blocks |
1.48 |
Injuries
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)
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)
Injuries
| 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. |
|||||
| 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. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 20 May 7:40am MIA -5 -110 O +227 -110 Closing 22 May 6:01pm MIA -6 -108 O +227 -110 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Heat Team Leaders
Points 21.46
Assists 7.1
Rebounds 8.95
FG% 100
Steals 2.08
Blocks 1.03
Points 28.15
Assists 6.05
Rebounds 11
FG% 62.5
Steals 1.63
Blocks 1.47
Points 16
Assists 7
Rebounds 9.25
FG% 75
Steals 1.25
Blocks 0.67
Points 30.19
Assists 8.65
Rebounds 12.81
FG% 60
Steals 1.65
Blocks 1.48
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Bucks Team Leaders
Points 21.46
Assists 7.1
Rebounds 8.95
FG% 100
Steals 2.08
Blocks 1.03
Points 28.15
Assists 6.05
Rebounds 11
FG% 62.5
Steals 1.63
Blocks 1.47
Points 16
Assists 7
Rebounds 9.25
FG% 75
Steals 1.25
Blocks 0.67
Points 30.19
Assists 8.65
Rebounds 12.81
FG% 60
Steals 1.65
Blocks 1.48
-
Injuries
Goran 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 / 21Thanasis 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 / 21Injuries
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.
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.