The Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat will battle in an Eastern Conference matchup on Thursday night. It's time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Bucks-Heat prediction and pick.

The Bucks and Heat will matchup for the first time since the Bucks swept Miami in four games in the first round of the 2021 playoffs. The defending champion Bucks will look to win again vs. a Heat team they dismantled just a few months ago. The Heat added guard Kyle Lowry, however, to go with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, and Miami has a goal of getting back to the NBA Finals like they did in 2020.

Here's how the bookmakers have set the Bucks-Heat odds for this Thursday matchup.

NBA Odds: Bucks-Heat Odds

Milwaukee Bucks -1  (-110), -116 ML

Miami Heat +1 (-110), -102 ML

Over 224 points (-110)

Under 224 points (-110)

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Why The Bucks Can Cover The Spread

Giannis Antetokounmpo is a great start at winning any basketball game. Jrue Holiday is listed as probable after exiting the Bucks season opening win over the Brooklyn Nets. Milwaukee will still be without Donte DiVincenzo and Rodney Hood Thursday night, but they still have plenty to fear. The defending champs will look to send a message to the league with a big win on opening night. At such a small number for the spread, the Bucks have a great shot at the cover and the win this evening.

Why The Heat Can Cover The Spread

The Heat getting Lowry is a huge deal. They have lacked facilitation at times the past couple of seasons, often forcing Butler and Adebayo to be overloaded with distribution duties on top of everything else they bring to the table. Lowry will provide experience, poise and shooting at the point guard position, and pushes all of their guard depth down into more comfortable roles. Miami can be one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference this season, and a win tonight would be a good start. Lowry, Butler and Adebayo are one of the better trios around the league, and lead a unit that will be difficult for any team to play against. The Heat, who are looking for revenge vs. the Bucks, have a great shot to win on their home floor on opening night.

Final Bucks-Heat Prediction & Pick

The Bucks were way too much for the Heat to handle in the 2021 playoffs, so ride with Antetokounmpo and company Thursday night. Lowry is a big add for Miami, but until the Heat prove they have enough to slow down the Bucks, don't fade the Bucks on such a small number. The Heat still might not have an answer for the Bucks size, as they still have largely the same bigs than got bullied by Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez in the playoffs.

FINAL BUCKS-HEAT PREDICTION & PICK: Bucks -1 (-110)