Game: Milwaukee Bucks @ Miami Heat
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Odds: Bucks -3, Heat +3
Total: 226.5
In the final group-stage match of the NBA’s in-season tournament, the Miami Heat will host the Milwaukee Bucks tonight in South Beach. With a win tonight, Milwaukee (3-0 in the tournament) would take first place in East Group B. It would come down to the point differential over the course of the four games if Miami (2-1) prevails and the New York Knicks (2-1) defeat the Charlotte Hornets.
The Bucks defeated Portland 108-102 on Sunday. Milwaukee’s biggest comeback in over a decade saw them overcome a 26-point deficit to capture the victory. Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 33 points, 16 rebounds, and 6 assists. He scored the go-ahead basket on a tip-in with 18.5 seconds remaining in the game.
Antetokounmpo will now attempt to help the Bucks move forward in the in-season tournament. Three-time All-Star forward Khris Middleton’s tendinitis in his left foot is one of the Bucks’ problems. He did not play in the Portland game, and his status for the Miami game tonight is listed as questionable. There is no timeline for his return.
Milwaukee started Andre Jackson Jr. in Middleton’s absence on Sunday, and the rookie second-round pick played 12 minutes without scoring. It’s not really needed as seven-time All-Stars Damian Lillard and Antetokounmpo bear much of the Bucks scoring load. Plus, center Brook Lopez is still a huge producer at the advanced NBA age of 35. In a victory over Washington last Friday, Lopez equaled his career high with 39 points.
Outstanding players are also present in Miami, where Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, and Jimmy Butler continue to wreak havoc on opponents. Unfortunately, none of them appeared in Saturday’s 112-97 loss to the Brooklyn Nets. Herro sustained an ankle injury, and Adebayo (hip) and Butler (ankle) were rested. Duncan Robinson, the Heat’s top outside shooter, was also unable to play for the Nets due to a thumb injury. These four players lead Miami in scoring, combining for an average of 80.8 points per contest.
Adebayo and Robinson are probably going to play tonight, but Butler is doubtful. Herro is out once again and will not play against Milwaukee. Despite the loss to the Nets, Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra was pleased with the effort.
Jaime Jaquez Jr., a 22-year-old rookie, leads the remaining Heat players in scoring with an average of 11.2 points. Jaquez, a UCLA product selected in the first round, hasn’t been shy, coming in fifth on the team in shots per contest. He is making 40 percent of his three-pointers, 50.7 percent of his field goals, and 82.4 percent of his free throws.
Miami has lost two straight and without Butler, Adebayo, Herro, and Robinson, breaking that streak will be difficult. Miami is 4-1 at home this season. They are 9-3 SU in their last 12 games and 7-3 ATS in their last ten. The Bucks are 7-1 SU in their last eight games, but they are just 2-4 SU and ATS in their last six games against Miami.
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