The Milwaukee Bucks will head to South Beach to take on the Miami Heat in a pivotal Game 3 of this first-round series. It’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Bucks-Heat prediction and pick.
Milwaukee has a stronghold on this series after dominating Game 2 to take a 2-0 lead. Following a nail-biter in Game 1, the Bucks bounced back in a big way with a dominant 132-98 victory over the Heat. Teams that win the first two games of a series advance 93.7% of the time.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the Bucks-Heat odds.
NBA Odds: Bucks-Heat Game 3 Odds
Milwaukee Bucks -1.5 (-110)
Miami Heat +1.5 (-110)
Over 225 Points (-110)
Under 225 Points (-110)
Why The Bucks Could Cover The Spread
The Bucks survived a scare in Game 1 as the Heat took them to overtime and forced them to pull out all the strings. Milwaukee built momentum and brought it into Game 2, scorching the Heat in a comfortable victory. Bryn Forbes stole the show in the second game with six made triples in a brilliant effort off the bench. The Bucks got it going in the first as they shot 18-of-24 for 46 points in the opening frame and never looked back.
Jrue Holiday showed why he was one of the most notable acquisitions last offseason as well. Holiday delivered a double-double performance in Game 2 with 11 points and 15 assists. Giannis Antetokounmpo returned to form in the win with 31 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, three steals, and a block. The whole team was clicking, and they will look to replicate that performance in Game 3 to effectively end the series.
Why The Heat Could Cover The Spread
The Heat seemed demoralized in Game 2 after a heartbreaking defeat in the series opener. Miami gave up 46 points in the opening frame and dug itself a hole it couldn't get out of. The Heat have been a solid first-quarter team for much of the season, but Game 2 showed why the Bucks are just on another level. The only way that the Heat will find a way to bounce back and make this a series is if Bam Adebayo steps it up and takes his game to a level we know he's capable of playing at.
Milwaukee has shown an emphasis on slowing Jimmy Butler down in this series, which means allowing the rest of Miami to beat them. Whenever someone is double-teamed, someone else is always open. Butler has to do a better job of facilitating for his squad and getting the plethora of Heat sharpshooters open on the perimeter. Milwaukee was one of the best outside shooting teams in the league this season, and it's clear that Miami is going to have to find a way to beat them at their own game.
Final Bucks-Heat Game 3 Prediction & Pick
Miami has a ton of pride, so I see this Game 3 being much closer and more competitive than Game 2. However, Milwaukee has found a consistent way to defend the Heat. I simply don't see them letting up in the third game of this series. The Bucks have a short memory and won't give up an opportunity to avenge their loss to the Heat in last year's postseason and coast to the next round. With a sub-two-point spread following a 34-point victory, there is a ton of value on the Bucks in this game. People want to believe that Miami will show flashes of the past, but the offensive struggles are too alarming to feel confident in them against a juggernaut Bucks squad.
FINAL PICK: Milwaukee Bucks -1.5 (-110)
