Heat vs Bucks Free Pick, NBA Free Picks, NBA Predictions 4/5/25
- J.A. Cavalier
- 21 hours ago
- 3 min read
MIAMI @ MILWAUKEE (MIL -1.5, 215.5)
NBA ODDS, NBA PREDICTIONS, NBA PREVIEWS
HEAT @ BUCKS 4/5/25
The Milwaukee Bucks play the host Miami Heat tonight, a matchup between two teams vying for postseason spots in the Eastern Conference. Following four straight losses, the Bucks (42-34) won their second straight game on Thursday, a thrilling 126-113 comeback victory in Philadelphia.
Giannis Antetokounmpo's 35-point, 20-assist, and 17-rebound performance—the first time an NBA player recorded that stat line—was a major factor in the Bucks’ success. Antetokounmpo also set a career high with the 20 assists. He stepped up as the primary playmaker, according to Bucks associate head coach Darvin Ham. Ham replaced Doc Rivers late in the first half on Thursday due to an illness.
Shams Charania of ESPN reports that the Bucks are optimistic that Damian Lillard will be able to resume basketball activities within seven to ten days. Jericho Sims (thumb) is still out, and Bobby Portis will serve the final two games of his suspension this weekend before making a comeback on Tuesday.
Ja Morant beat the buzzer to give Memphis a 110-108 victory Thursday night over the Heat. As a result, Miami dropped to 35-42 on the season. Despite the loss, head coach Erik Spoelstra is still optimistic. The Heat played without Terry Rozier, Kevin Love, Nikola Jovic, and Andrew Wiggins. Prior to the loss to the Grizzlies, Miami had won six straight. Rozier will play tonight. The others will not. Tyler Herro (thigh) and Haywood Highsmith (left Achilles) are listed as doubtful for tonight.
Herro leads the Heat with 23.9 points and 5.6 assists per games. He was Miami’s top scorer on Thursday with 35 points. Bam Adebayo leads the Heat with 1.2 steals and 9.6 rebounds per game.
For Milwaukee, Antetokounmpo averages 30.4 points and 11.9 rebounds. In the seven games that Antetokounmpo has participated in since Lillard's injury, he has averaged 7.9 assists per contest.
After winning the first three games against the Heat by final scores of 106-103, 125-96, and 120-113, Milwaukee is aiming for a four-game season sweep. Although Herro scored 40 points, Adebayo 24, and Andrew Wiggins 20, the Heat only managed 12 bench points in the game played in Milwaukee on February 23. Antetokounmpo contributed 23 points and 16 rebounds, while Lillard led Milwaukee with 28 points and eight assists.
When Miami wins, it does so on defense. With a 104.3 defensive rating in wins, they are ranked fourth in the league and 10th (112.1) overall. Milwaukee has a much higher offensive rating (114.7) than the Heat, but a slightly lower defensive rating (112.8).
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COACH RICK FREE PICK:
BAM ADEBAYO OVER 0.5 THREE-POINTERS
Adebayo has stepped up from long range as of late. He’s got at least one three in 9 straight games. He’s hit two in 4 straight games and 7 of the last 9. Adebayo has one or more threes in 15 of his last 20 games and in 60 percent of games this season. He’s had at least one triple in 2 of the 3 games against the Bucks this season and the Bucks rank 25th in the NBA in defending opposing centers from three-point range. It’s a favorable matchup that will allow Adebayo to get at least one three for the 10th straight game.