The Miami Heat have an interesting little contest coming up on Monday night. Looking to quickly get back on the right side of things, they’ll seek to bounce back against the Memphis Grizzlies after a terrible defeat to the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night.
Starting the first of a tricky little three-game homestand, nonetheless, they’ll face off against Memphis on Monday, Milwaukee again on Wednesday, and all before welcoming in Chicago on the upcoming Saturday.
It’s not an easy task, but let’s not get too far ahead. As far as Monday’s game goes, the Grizzlies will continue to be without Ja Morant, while the Miami Heat might be without Jimmy Butler again.
Missing every game since the last Chicago Bulls game, a Saturday ago before this past one, they’ll need him back as soon as he can get back without Bam Adebayo going. Good news seems to be in store there though, per a report from Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Jimmy Butler (bruised tailbone) upgraded to questionable for Monday vs. visiting Grizzlies. Expect him to play.
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) December 5, 2021
Still out for the Heat: Bam Adebayo (thumb), Marcus Garrett (G League), Markieff Morris (whiplash), Victor Oladipo (knee).
With the major injury news out of the way though, what is the potential to make a few dollars on this game? Here are the lines for the game.
The Miami Heat have a chance to get back on track Monday with a win over Memphis. They have the Bucks again Wednesday, so a win goes a long way.
Miami Heat vs. Memphis Grizzlies Odds, Analysis, & Predictions
Moneyline: MIA -210 MEM +180
Spread: Miami -5
Total: 216
Analysis
Though Ja Morant has been out for a few games, the Memphis Grizzlies and Jaren Jackson Jr. have really stepped up their play. With that, they can still get hot and throw a bunch of points on the board.
The Miami Heat have a strong chance to take this one, being at home and with the likelihood of getting Jimmy back, so there is some play in the Moneyline here. With lines like that though, where they require you to lay a substantial amount to earn a dollar back, there is always risk there.
The same risk is associated with the Spread, simply from a pure win/loss perspective though. The five points aren’t terrible, as they will be without their best player while the Miami Heat look to get there best player back.
The total is the real tricky play here. Though both teams are going over the Total quite a bit more often than they aren’t this season, there may be some subtext to read here.
From both teams having major absences, to Jimmy having to shake off some rust, to the Grizzlies and their ability to maintain without Ja Morant, there is a ton there to analyze. Because there is more uncertainty than clarity there, it would probably be a good call to stay away from it.
The Miami Heat certainly hope they can keep the scoring low, at least for the Grizzlies. That would go a long way towards landing a needed bounceback win before facing off against Milwaukee again Wednesay.