Heat vs. Bucks prediction and odds for NBA Summer League (How to bet total)
By Peter Dewey
The Miami Heat got off to a great start in the Summer League during the California Classic, but the team dropped its last game against the Phoenix Suns in the Las Vegas Summer League.
First-round pick Jaime Jacquez Jr. missed that game with a shoulder injury, and the team may play things safe with him the rest of the summer.
Jaime Jacquez Jr. underwent an MRI on his left shoulder, but it came back clean. He’s still dealing with discomfort, though.
— Anthony Chiang (@Anthony_Chiang) July 9, 2023
With Jacquez Jr., the Heat scored just 70 points against the Suns in their loss. Now, they take on the Milwaukee Bucks (2-1 in Las Vegas) on Thursday evening.
The Bucks haven’t been a high-scoring offense this summer, but last year’s draft picks MarJon Beauchamp has flashed at times for the team .
Let’s break down the odds and a best bet for this Summer League showdown:
Heat vs. Bucks odds, spread and total
Spread
- Heat -1.5 (-110)
- Bucks +1.5 (-110)
Moneyline
- Heat: -125
- Bucks: +105
Total
- 176.5 (Over -110/Under -110)
Odds are available via DraftKings Sportsbook.
Heat vs. Bucks prediction and pick
Had this been earlier in the summer, I would have never suggested an UNDER on a Miami game given how well Jacquez and Nikola Jovic were playing.
However, with Jacquez banged up, I think the UNDER could be the play here.
Miami combined for just 143 points against the Suns, and now it takes on a Bucks team that hasn’t exactly lit up the scoreboard in Las Vegas.
The totals in Milwaukee’s three games this summer have been 177, 159 and 163, meaning two of their three games would have fallen below this number.
Unless Miami gets another 30-point showing from Orlando Robinson, I don’t see the team putting up enough points to push this game over against a Bucks team that scored just 71 points in a loss to Brooklyn in its last game.
Pick: UNDER 176.5 (-110)
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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.