Milwaukee Bucks at Miami Heat NBA Picks & Predictions 1/14/2018

Sunday, January 14, 2018

American Airlines Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Milwaukee Bucks travel to American Airlines Arena to play the Miami Heat on Sunday, January 14, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Miami as 3 point favorites.

The Bucks come into this game with an overall record of 22-19. They are 3rd in the Central Division. They currently have a point differential of -0.7 as they are averaging 105.7 points per game while giving up 106.4 per contest. The Heat have an overall mark of 24-17. They currently are 1st in the Southeast Division. They are averaging 101.0 points per contest and giving up 102.0, which is a point differential of -1.0.

Valuable Milwaukee Bucks Betting Trends

The Milwaukee Bucks are 17-19-5 against the spread

The Milwaukee Bucks are 24-16-1 against the over/under

Important Miami Heat Betting Trends

The Miami Heat are 18-21-2 against the spread

The Miami Heat are 16-23-2 against the over/under

Key Milwaukee Bucks Injuries

11/21/17 F Mirza Teletovic Lung is out indefinitely
01/13/18 F Jabari Parker Knee is out indefinitely

Key Miami Heat Injuries

01/13/18 F James Johnson Suspension Served is upgraded to probable Sunday vs Milwaukee
01/13/18 F Justise Winslow Knee is upgraded to probable Sunday vs Milwaukee
01/12/18 G Dion Waiters Ankle is out for season

Player Spotlight

Khris Middleton comes into this contest averaging 20 points per game while playing 37.1 minutes per night so far this season for the Bucks. He pulls down 5 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 46% while his free throw percentage is currently at 89%. Giannis Antetokounmpo averages 28.5 points per game in 37.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 4.6 assists per contest and 9.9 rebounds per game for Milwaukee. His field goal percentage is 55% for the year while his free throw percentage is 78%.

Player Spotlight

Goran Dragic averages 17 points per game while playing 31.9 minutes per contest this year for the Heat. He grabs 4.2 rebounds per game and has 4.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage currently is at 77%. Hassan Whiteside averages 14 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 25.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 11.8 rebounds per contest and 0.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 55% and his free throw percentage is 71%.

Useful Team Statistics

Milwaukee averages 105.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 14th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -0.68 and their shooting percentage is 49% as a team, which has them ranked 3rd. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 25th in the league. They average 38.5 rebounds per game and 22.8 assists per game, which ranks them 30th and 13th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 26th with 13.6 per game. The Bucks allow 106.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 17th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 38% average from behind the arc, ranking them 26th and 29th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 41.5 rebounds a game which ranks 5th and they give up 22.5 assists per contest, which puts them in 14th place in the league. They force 15.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 22nd in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Miami is 27th in the league with 101 points per game this year. They are 16th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is -1.02. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 12th in the NBA. They are 24th in the league in rebounding with 41.6 boards per game, and 22nd in assists per contest with 21.3. The Heat are 11th in turnovers per game with 15. The Heat surrender 102 points per contest, which ranks them 7th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 13th and 22nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 3rd with 20.1 assists allowed per contest and 8th with 42 rebounds surrendered per game. The Heat are 7th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.8 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Bucks are 9th in the NBA in offensive rating with 110, and their defensive rating of 110.7 is ranked 6th. In terms of pace they are 21st in the league with 95.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 5th. As a team they are 5th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shots, ranking 23rd in the league. Milwaukee is 23rd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 7th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Miami is 6th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 21st in the league. The Heat are 22nd in the NBA in offensive rating with 106, and their defensive rating of 107.1 is ranked 19th. In terms of pace they are 28th in the league with 94.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 9th. As a team they are 12th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shots, ranking 4th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Bucks/Heat NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Miami -3

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Tony Sink