Heats-Bucks prediction, odds, pick: NBA best bets for Monday
Three first-round NBA playoff rematches from last season take place this week, starting with Milwaukee looking to avenge its early postseason exit against Miami.
Miami Heat vs. Milwaukee Bucks
The eighth-seeded Heat shocked the top-seeded Bucks in five games in the opening round, as Miami’s Jimmy Butler torched Milwaukee for 98 points in the final two wins of the series.
Bucks’ star Giannis Antetokounmpo was not healthy in that series, which factored into the result.
Milwaukee made the biggest splash in the offseason by acquiring All-Star guard Damian Lillard, who scored 39 points in a 118-117 opening night win over the 76ers.
Miami held off Detroit in the season opener, but the Heat lost the next two games on the road at Boston and Minnesota. The Heat shot lights out in their playoff series against the Bucks and the expectation will be that Milwaukee will be extremely motivated in this spot.
Betting on the NBA?
The Bucks are 1-7 against the spread in their last eight games as a favorite, but Milwaukee should be up for this one and see solid performances from the duo of Antetokounmpo and Lillard.
