Upcoming Match-ups

Bucks vs Heat Odds, Spread and Picks

Quinn Allen

by Quinn Allen in NBA Basketball

Updated Dec 7, 2021 · 7:50 PM PST

Giannis Antetokounmpo drives, Milwaukee Bucks
Dec 6, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade (32) in the second half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
  • The Milwaukee Bucks visit the Miami Heat on Wednesday, December 8th
  • Milwaukee is a 5-point road favorite
  • Find the odds, analysis, and best bet below

The Milwaukee Bucks begin a four-game road trip on Wednesday, December 8th in South Beach as they take on the struggling Miami Heat. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM EST at the FTX Arena.

Milwaukee is coming off yet another win on Monday against the Cleveland Cavaliers, improving to 9-1 in their last 10 games. The Heat on the other hand, lost by 15 points to the Ja Morant-less Memphis Grizzlies, dropping their second game in a row.

This is already the third meeting between these two Eastern Conference foes in 2021/22. Miami ran away with a huge victory over the Bucks in their season opener, but Giannis Antetokounmpo and Co. got revenge last Saturday on home court.

Bucks vs Heat Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Total Points
Milwaukee Bucks -5.5 (-110) -235 OFF
Miami Heat +5.5 (-110) +194 OFF

Odds as of December 7th at Fanduel

The Bucks are a 5-5-point favorite here and have posted a 10-9 record as ATS favorites this season. Miami meanwhile is 6-1 as ATS underdogs.

Bucks Are Rolling

After a slow start to the season due to injuries, Milwaukee has found a serious rhythm. They recently won eight in a row before losing to the Toronto Raptors last Thursday, but Giannis was sidelined in that contest. Since then, Mike Budenholzer’s squad has taken down the Heat and the Cavs.

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The Greek Freak had quite the birthday on Monday as he dropped a team-high 27 points on Cleveland while also grabbing 12 rebounds and going a perfect 3-for-3 from three-point land. Overall, it was a really solid performance from the entire rotation, with the Big 3 of Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, and Khris Middleton combining for 68 of the team’s 112 points. Giannis also collected 15 of his points in the final quarter, which proved to be huge.

Efficient shooting and domination on the boards are two of the Bucks’ biggest strengths this season and that was certainly a huge factor. Milwaukee drained 41% of their threes and also outrebounded the Cavaliers 53-39. The Bucks are unbeaten so far when their star trio are in the lineup together, which is a great sign heading into Miami. All of them are healthy and expected to play.

Miami Needs to Get Back on Track

The Heat were looking scary early on, but then the injuries started to pile up. Bam Adebayo is out for 4-6 weeks after undergoing thumb surgery, while Jimmy Butler is once again sidelined after re-injuring his tailbone on Monday. He already missed four games prior to another hard fall.

Miami was frankly outplayed by the Grizzlies, with the offense really struggling to get going. Butler was evidently in pain and only posted 10 points in 24 minutes of action before exiting in the third. Tyler Herro was one of the only bright spots as he continued his breakout campaign with another 24 points. Memphis came out firing in the first quarter, outscoring Miami 34-25. That momentum carried throughout the entire 48 minutes.

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The Heat were extremely sloppy with the rock, committing a total of 23 turnovers which the Grizzlies translated into 27 points. They also shot a dismal 27% from beyond the arc in the contest. Coming into Wednesday, Miami has lost four of five and three straight on their home floor.

Bucks vs Heat Prediction

These are two teams on the opposite side of the spectrum right now. Milwaukee is firing on all cylinders while Heat are in a rut. Without Butler, I have a hard time believing they could beat a Bucks squad who are absolutely showing out on both ends. Take the defending champions to cover the spread and continue their hot streak.

Pick: Milwaukee Bucks -5.5 (-110)

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