NBA 2022/23, on Tuesday, 25.04.2023
My dear Scholli, here the first very big surprise of these NBA play-offs is brewing. That would be a thing, of course, if the Miami Heat could secure the right to two match points against the Milwaukee Bucks tonight.
Injuries on both sides currently hover over Game 4 like a sword of Damocles, meanwhile in my Heat Bucks tip I took the trouble to weigh up which likely absences would affect each side more.
This series is back and forth, but really it shouldn’t be! After all, the Bucks finished first in the Eastern Conference standings with 58 wins on the season, whereas Miami only got its starting job via the play-in tournament.
However, none of that counts now! Because Milwaukee has to try for the already 2nd time to close the gap to make everything clear at the home Fiserv Forum at the score of 2:2 wins in Game 5 and 6.
But implementing that plan in the long run could be difficult if Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to be out and the Heat can build on their ridiculously good three-point percentage from Game 3. In the 1st half, 63% of all throws found their target beyond the arc!
Jimmy Butler is certainly the star of this series, but the Bucks can’t really get a grip on him at any point. With 30 points he made on Sunday in the half court of the green-white, after what he liked!
The statistics speak already once for Miami! According to the official data, since 1984 the team that won the third game of the playoffs at 1-1 – in this case the Heat – has won 73.3% of the series.
In fact, at this point I would also be betting on the Floridians at Bet365 Sports, were it not for the outrageous injury woes that have suddenly struck MIA in this Series and may now have checkmated them.
Sports betting fans interested in this game are advised to check on the status of some of the players immediately before placing their personal Heat Bucks bets. But currently I have to agree with the betting providers willy-nilly.
They favor in their Heat Bucks odds namely the guests from Milwaukee with about 1.48 relatively clear. No wonder, given the recent developments on the part of the home side.
It looks like Tyler Herro, who was prevented from playing in Game 1 due to a broken hand, will get a visit in the team hospital – from Victor Olapido and Jimmy Butler, of all people.
While Olapido suffered a serious injury in Game 3, Jimmy Butler might be able to play with a bit of luck, but he still won’t be at 100%. On the other hand, Milwaukee has a very important man returning.
We are talking of course about Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is now in demand. With his physicality on the board and the relief he can give his team, it should work out against a Heat weakened at their key positions with the series equalizer.
Two years ago, the Bucks showed how to beat Miami in the postseason thanks to Antetokounmpo. The Greek player completely knocked Butler out cold then!
Milwaukee clearly showed in Game 3 that without Giannis Antetokounmpo not much is going on. His teammate Brook Lopez, after a strong showing in Game 2, suddenly could only contribute six points to his team’s total output.
Bobby Portis, meanwhile, got into foul trouble early and left early with just nine points in 23 minutes, while Jrue Holiday sank 19 points but only nine of them in the final 3½ quarters of play.
Only Khris Middleton reached normal form with 23 points. No question, “The Greek Freak” absolutely has to step up for the Bucks tonight to help his teammates out with his presence alone.
By the way, the Bwin App is my favorite tool for these NBA Playoffs to keep track of the betting action on all fields with ease!
Conclusion: If it weren’t for all the blowouts, I’d put my money on the Heat – and that’s despite the fact that this was considered sheer madness before the Series opener with this big-name opponent!
But the absences of Tyler Hero and Victor Olapido are all but certain, so the balance of power should shift back in favor of the visitors tonight. Especially since Giannis Antetokounmpo returns for the Bucks.
Incidentally, MIA could also be missing Jimmy Butler, which would of course deal the death blow to the Floridians. But judging by the thickness of his ice pack, which he used to treat his knee in the last game, he’ll probably be at 80% at best.
My Heat Bucks tip: Milwaukee wins!
