Milwaukee Bucks at Miami Heat NBA Picks & Predictions 2/9/2018

Friday, February 9, 2018

American Airlines Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Milwaukee Bucks head to American Airlines Arena to take on the Miami Heat on Friday, February 9, 2018. The opening line for this game has Miami as 1.5 point favorites.

The Bucks head into this matchup with a mark of 30-23. They are 2nd in the Central Division. They currently have a point differential of 0.0 as they are averaging 104.6 points per contest while giving up 104.6 per game. The Heat have an overall record of 29-26. They currently are 2nd in the Southeast Division. They are averaging 100.5 points per game and surrendering 101.4, good for a point differential of -0.9.

Valuable Milwaukee Bucks Betting Trends

The Milwaukee Bucks are 23-25-5 against the spread

The Milwaukee Bucks are 26-26-1 against the over/under

Important Miami Heat Betting Trends

The Miami Heat are 25-27-3 against the spread

The Miami Heat are 22-31-2 against the over/under

Key Milwaukee Bucks Injuries

11/21/17 F Mirza Teletovic Lung is out indefinitely
02/06/18 F John Henson Hamstring is "?" Friday vs Miami
02/06/18 PG Matthew Dellavedova Ankle is OUT 3-4 weeks
02/03/18 G Malcolm Brogdon Knee is OUT 6-8 weeks

Key Miami Heat Injuries

02/08/18 C Kelly Olynyk Shoulder is "?" Friday vs Milwaukee
02/08/18 G Wayne Ellington Shoulder is "?" Friday vs Milwaukee
01/12/18 G Dion Waiters Ankle is out for season

Player Spotlight

Giannis Antetokounmpo comes into this game averaging 27.9 points per contest while playing 36.9 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 10.4 rebounds per contest and distributes 4.7 assists per game. His FG percentage is 54% while his free throw percentage is 76%. Khris Middleton averages 20.1 points per contest in 36.9 minutes per game this year. He averages 4.2 assists per game and 5.3 rebounds per contest for Milwaukee. His field goal percentage is 46% for the season while his free throw percentage is 86%.

Player Spotlight

Josh Richardson has scored 13.4 points per contest while playing 34.3 minutes per game this season for the Heat. He hauls in 3.4 rebounds per contest and has 2.9 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is at 81%. Goran Dragic averages 17.4 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 31.9 minutes per game. He also brings in 4.1 rebounds per game and 4.8 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 76%.

Useful Team Statistics

Milwaukee averages 104.6 points per contest this year, which is 17th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 0.06 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a unit, which has them ranked 5th. From 3-point territory they shoot 35%, which is good for 25th in the NBA. They average 39.1 boards per contest and 22.4 assists per game, which ranks them 30th and 18th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 25th with 13.6 per game. The Bucks allow 104.6 points per contest which is 11th in the NBA. They also surrender a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 20th and 12th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 41.9 rebounds a game which ranks 7th, and they allow 23 assists per game which puts them in 16th place in the league. They force 15.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 27th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Miami is 28th in the NBA with 100.5 points per contest this season. They are 20th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -0.96. They shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is good for 21st in the league. They are 20th in the NBA in rebounding with 42.5 boards per contest and 23rd in assists per game with 21.9. The Heat are 11th in turnovers per contest with 14.9. The Heat give up 101.4 points per game, which ranks them 3rd in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 10th and 9th in those defensive statistics. They rank 1st with 20.1 dimes allowed per game and 5th with 41.8 boards surrendered per contest. The Heat are 4th in the league in forcing turnovers with 13.3 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Bucks are 12th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.1, and their defensive rating of 109.1 is ranked 12th. In terms of pace they are 23rd in the league with 95.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 7th. As a team they are 5th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shots, ranking 25th in the league. Milwaukee is 19th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 14th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Miami is 4th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 24th in the league. The Heat are 25th in the NBA in offensive rating with 105.6, and their defensive rating of 106.6 is ranked 24th. In terms of pace they are 28th in the league with 94.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 15th. As a team they are 17th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shots, ranking 6th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Milwaukee +1.5

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