The Miami Heat and the Milwaukee Bucks face off again in the playoffs. Last year, the Heat eliminated the Bucks in the second round. Will the Heat score another playoff win against Milwaukee? Or will the Bucks get win No. 1 in this postseason this Saturday? Check out our preview of this game below.
The Heat are heading to the playoffs in good form. They picked it up towards the end of the regular season, winning eight of their last 10 games, and covering the spread in seven of those contests. Although Miami doesn’t have a high-flying offense, as the team is just 18th in the league in offensive rating with 110.8 points per 100 possession, but they really don’t have to burst into flames on offense to beat teams. That’s a testament to Miami’s defense that allowed just 108.0 points per game in the regular season, good for fifth overall in the NBA. Bam Adebayo anchors the defense of Miami, while Jimmy Butler sets the tone on both ends of the floor. Butler finished the regular season with 21.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game. Adebayo, on the other hand, posted 18.7 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.0 block per contest.
The Heat are 5-1 against the spread in their last six road games.
Milwaukee is also entering the postseason on the heels of a great stretch, having won eight of its last 10 games, which includes a 122-108 win over the Heat at home on May 15. In that game, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday led the Bucks with 21 and 20 points, respectively, while Giannis Antetokounmpo had 15 points. Those three are the biggest threats to Milwaukee’s opponents, as each is capable of blowing up. In the last three meetings with the Heat, Holiday averaged 19.0 points, Middleton 18.0 points, and Antetokounmpo 16.7. Moreover, four other Bucks put up at least 12.0 points average in those games. The Bucks finished the regular season tops in the league with 120.1 points per game on 48.7 percent shooting from the field and 38.9 percent from deep. They like to play fast, always trying to score as quickly as possible. In fact, the Bucks are 29th in the league in time of possession and No. 1 in attempts from the field per contest.
The Bucks are 5-3 against the spread in their last eight home games.
