Dave Carney 5/27/2021
What’s on the table today?: Betting Preview and prediction for Game 3
Bucks (-1 ½) at Heat (+1 ½) / total 227 ½
The Miami Heat will play host to the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 3 of their First Round NBA Playoff series with the Bucks holding a 2-0 series advantage.
Prior to the start of this Playoff series I predicted a tough, grind it out, six or seven game affair with the Bucks narrowly avoiding defeat and heading into the 2nd Round without much confidence after struggling to get past a Heat team that seemed to have Milwaukee’s number since Jimmy Butler got to South Beach.
After what we witnessed on Monday night however, the Bucks complete undressing of the Heat in a 132-98 drubbing, completely changed my tune on how I think this series will play out. I now like the Bucks to win in 5, but a SWEEP of the defending Eastern Conference Champs is not off-the-table for me right now. The way Milwaukee responded to that very close, very tough Game 1 was exactly what I think the doctor ordered. To me, that Game 2 win could push this Bucks’ team, and their confidence, over the edge and into a territory that Milwaukee fans haven’t been to in 40 years…championship land!
For the Miami Heat, the combo of Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo are crucial to success, and through the first two games of this series, both are well below season averages with Butler scoring just 13.5 per game and Adebayo only 12.5. Butler averaged a team-high 21.5 points during the regular season. Adebayo was second in scoring (18.7). Combined, Butler and Adebayo are averaging a combined 14.2 points under their regular-season numbers.
In contrast, the Bucks, who lead the best-of-seven series 2-0, have had no problems at the top of their depth chart as their two best players have played like stars. Two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 28.5 points, 15.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 3.0 steals in this series, and two-time All-Star Khris Middleton is scoring 22.0 points per game.
In Miami’s 33-year history as an NBA franchise, the Heat have come back to win a series after trailing 2-0 just once — in the 2006 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks.
To me, the Bucks are poised to break the will and spirit of the Heat tonight in Miami and that’s why I have no reservations laying the (-1 ½ ) for the Bucks to cover the spread. I think the Total of 227 ½ is a bit too high, realizing that the emphasis will be on defense, but I could see this game nudging just over the total as well.
MY PREDICTION: Bucks (-1 ½)
**For more info on TOTAL plays, OVER/UNDER, and PLUS/MINUS plays, TEASER cards and more, check back through some previous columns for detailed information**
REMEMBER – don’t bet based upon my recommendations. Do your research. Stay in your lane