An Eastern Conference showdown has the Miami Heat (32-27) going on the road to play the Milwaukee Bucks (41-17) on Friday evening. With the NBA playoffs quickly approaching, these regular season matchups are crucial for seeding. The Bucks are currently sitting as the second seed in the Eastern Conference, while Miami is seventh in the East. This will be the fourth and final matchup in the regular season between these teams, and Miami has won two of three thus far.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (wrist) is listed as questionable for Milwaukee, with Pat Connaughton (calf) doubtful. Kyle Lowry (knee) is out for Miami. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET at the Fiserv Forum, and Caesars Sportsbook lists Milwaukee as a 4-point favorite in the latest Heat vs. Bucks odds. The over/under for total points is set at 221. Before making any Bucks vs. Heat picks, you'll want to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from the proven computer model at SportsLine.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past four-plus seasons. The model exits the NBA All-Star break on a stunning 55-30 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning nearly $2,100. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Heat vs. Bucks and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Bucks vs. Heat:
- Heat vs. Bucks spread: Milwaukee -4
- Heat vs. Bucks Over-Under: 221 points
- Heat vs. Bucks money line: Milwaukee -180, Miami +152
- MIA: Under is 4-0 in Miami's last 4 Friday games
- MIL: Bucks are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall
- Heat vs. Bucks picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Heat can cover
Center Bam Adebayo provides the Heat with a truly powerful presence in the frontcourt. Adebayo has an outstanding leaping ability to snag boards and alter shots at the rim. The Kentucky product averages 21.6 points, 10 rebounds, and shoots 54% from the field. He's currently tied for 11th in the league in double-doubles (28), and on Feb. 15, Adebayo notched 24 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists.
Guard Max Strus is a very good shooter from deep and moves well without the ball. Strus excels at spacing the floor, and the DePaul product averages 12.6 points and 3.6 rebounds, while knocking down 34% of his attempts from downtown. He's supplied at least 18 points in back-to-back games, including on Feb. 13 when Strus finished with 23 points, seven rebounds, and made four 3-pointers.
Why the Bucks can cover
Guard Jrue Holiday is an exceptional two-way threat who has excellent length and is a pass-first playmaker. The UCLA product utilizes his instincts to jump into passing lanes and be relentless defensively. He averages 19.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 7.1 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. On Feb. 14, Holiday finished with 40 points, seven assists, and three steals.
Forward Bobby Portis is a tough, strong, and energetic player whose return will provide a huge spark. Portis constantly hustles and owns a reliable jumper to space the floor. The Arkansas product knows how to score on the pick and roll, and he can draw out opposing big men to the perimeter. The 28-year-old logs 14.4 points and 10.1 rebounds per game.
How to make Heat vs. Bucks picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 225 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time. You can only get the pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Bucks vs. Heat? And which side hits well over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.
