The series between the Miami Heat and the Milwaukee Bucks is turning out to be more about injuries than anything else. Giannis Antetokounmpo missed Game 3 for Milwaukee with a lower-back injury and is questionable for Game 4. On the Miami side, Victor Oladipo tore a patella tendon and is done for the postseason, with surgery to come this week. Jimmy Butler took a hard fall late in Game 3 and had to leave with a sore glute, but the 121-99 win was already in hand. Now the eighth-seeded Heat lead the top-seeded Bucks in their series, 2-1, with Game 4 set for Monday. Can the Bucks tie things up? Read on to get our NBA betting prediction.
NBA Playoffs: Eastern Conference Conference Quarterfinal Preview
Milwaukee Bucks at Miami Heat, Game 4
Heat lead, 2-1
When: Monday, April 24, 2023, 7:30 pm ET
Where: American Airlines Arena, Miami
TV: TNT
Radio: WTMJ 620 AM Milwaukee / 104.5 FM Miami
Live Stream: Sling TV
NBA Odds: Milwaukee -7.5 / O/U 218.5 // Miami +240 / Milwaukee -300
Why should you bet on the Milwaukee Bucks?
My pick on this game will probably come close to game time, as Giannis is still listed as questionable. If he can play, the Bucks likely have enough offense to win, but if he can’t play, the Bucks will have a hard time putting together enough offense to stop Jimmy Buckets and the rest of the Heat offense on the road.
Obviously, the Bucks have plenty of other contributors, such as Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday. However, they only have one transcendental scorer, in Giannis. It’s one thing to win a regular-season game without your big star, but once you’re several games into a postseason series, both teams are locked in, and you need all of your contributors. Oladipo is a big loss for the Heat, but not nearly as big as having Giannis on the bench for a third straight game.
Bet on the Bucks!
Why should you put your money on the Heat?
The Heat shredded the Bucks in Game 3, knocking down 53% of their shots overall and sinking 16 three-balls. They also won the battle of the boards and posted 13 steals. Butler led the way with 30 points, along with five boards and four assists. Duncan Robinson came off the bench to drop 20 on the Bucks, making five three-pointers while going 7 of 9 overall from the floor.
Robinson is playing in place of Tyler Herro, who went down for the rest of the season in Game 1, and Kyle Lowry added 15 off the bench. The reserves have come through so far for the Heat, and if you like Miami to go up 3-1 here, you see that energy emerging once again. I do recommend waiting to lock in your wager until you see whether Giannis is playing, even if that means you’re placing a live in-game bet.
Bet on the Heat!
Final Score and Prediction
To me, the choice on this game comes down to Giannis’ lower back. If he is healthy enough to play, I see him guiding the Bucks to a win. If he can’t go, then I think the Heat have what it takes to carry this game in front of their home crowd. What about that point spread, though? It’s pretty large given how well the Heat have played since Game 1. With Giannis in, I still see the Heat covering.
Victor Oladipo helped off court with apparent knee injury
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