The Milwaukee Bucks are surging. Have they finally figured out a way to play good basketball under Doc Rivers? Or, will they get exposed by a hurting Miami Heat side in an intriguing matchup between two Eastern powers this Wednesday?
Catch this game live on Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at 9:00 AM, Manila time
Away: Miami Heat (28-25/13-12 Away)
Projected Starting Five:
- Tyler Herro
- Duncan Robinson (Questionable)
- Jaime Jaquez Jr.
- Caleb Martin
- Bam Adebayo
The Heat are limping to this game against the resurgent Bucks. Miami is sporting a banged-up roster that looks like it’s been through a war, with a number of key players sidelined with injuries. Josh Richardson and Terry Rozier are both out with a shoulder issue and knee injury, respectively. Jimmy Butler is also out because of personal reasons. There is also a chance that Duncan Robinson would get ultimately ruled out because of shoulder and arm issues.
In other words, the Heat will have to dig deep into their bench and look for others to step up versus the Bucks. The Heat are also winless in two meetings with the Bucks this season, so that’s another discouraging sign for Miami. That being said, Miami was able to hang tough and lose by only four points last Monday to the high-powered Boston Celtics squad at home, while covering the spread. The Heat are now 3-0 against the spread in their last three games overall.
Home: Milwaukee Bucks (35-19/23-6 Home)
Projected Starting Five:
- Damian Lillard
- Malik Beasley
- Jae Crowder
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Brook Lopez
Don’t look now, but the Bucks are gaining steam at last under Doc Rivers. Milwaukee has won two games in a row, crushing the lowly Charlott Hornets last Saturday (120-84) and bringing the reigning NBA champs Denver Nuggets down to their knees on Tuesday (112-95). The Bucks will play the Heat on the second leg of a back-to-back but the blowout nature of the Nuggets game meant that bodies of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard weren’t taxed much in that contest.
Antetokounmpo had 36 points and 18 boards in just 30 minutes versus the Nuggets, while Lillard played 23 minutes and scored 18 points. With the Heat missing key players, it’s not hard to imagine the Bucks grabbing Miami by its collars again and tossing the Heat to Lake Michigan. That’s not to mention the fact that the Bucks have allowed the second-fewest points in the NBA over the last two outings.
PREDICTIONS:
Spread: The Heat (+8.0) cover the spread.
Over/Under: The total (224.5) hits the Under.
