Miami Heat vs Milwaukee Bucks Picks and Predictions November 26th 2024

Heat vs Bucks November 26th 2024

At 7:30 ET, the Miami Heat (-136) will host the Milwaukee Bucks (+114) in a matchup between two Eastern Conference teams. The Heat are currently favored by 2.5 points over the Bucks, who have won four straight games.

This game will be played at the Kaseya Center in Miami and can be seen on TNT. The over/under line for this game is 225 points.

Bucks vs. Heat Key Information

The Bucks improved to 8-9 on the season with a 125-119 win over the Hornets on Saturday. Milwaukee was favored by 7.5 points but didn’t cover the spread. The total points for the game were 244, surpassing the over/under line of 224.

Milwaukee took control in the 2nd quarter, outscoring Charlotte 31-23, and extended their lead to 96-85 by the end of the 3rd. However, the Hornets went on a 10-0 run in the 4th, cutting the Bucks’ lead from 116-103 to 126-103 before Milwaukee closed out the game.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 32 points and 11 rebounds in their win over the Hornets, shooting 52.2% from the field. Damian Lillard added 31 points, though he hit just 33.3% from deep, making 3 threes.

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Milwaukee connected on 18 threes as a team, shooting 48.6% from beyond the arc. Gary Trent Jr. was particularly effective, hitting 4 threes at an 80% clip and finishing with 16 points.

Defensively, the Bucks were strong in the 2nd quarter, holding the Hornets to 23 points, but they struggled in the 3rd and 4th, allowing 34 points in each. Despite these lapses, Milwaukee still managed to secure the win, thanks in part to limiting Charlotte to 41% shooting from the field.

However, the Bucks had trouble defending the three, as the Hornets hit 19 threes at a 40% clip. Milwaukee sent Charlotte to the line 21 times, where they converted 18 free throws. The Bucks gave up 14 offensive rebounds while recording 3 steals and 9 blocks.

Miami moved to 7-7 on the season with a 123-118 win over the Mavericks on Sunday. Playing at home, the Heat were favored by 2.5 points and covered the spread. The game’s total of 241 points exceeded the pre-game O/U line of 220.5 by 20.5 points.

A key moment came when Miami went on a 14-0 run, turning a 28-27 deficit into a 41-28 lead. The Heat maintained a 5-point lead heading into the 4th quarter, but Dallas outscored them 30-25 in the final period.

Jimmy Butler’s 33 points and 9 rebounds led the Heat to a 123-118 win over the Mavericks, shooting 64.7% from the field. Bam Adebayo added 19 points, hitting 3 threes at a 50% rate, while Tyler Herro contributed 18 points despite shooting 32%.

Miami made 14 threes, shooting 34.1% from deep and 43% overall. Butler scored 8 points in the 4th quarter, while Alec Burks added 9 of his 15 points in the final period.

Defensively, the Heat were strong in the 2nd quarter, giving up just 23 points, but they struggled in the 3rd, allowing 33 points. Overall, they held the Mavericks to 118 points on 41% shooting.

Miami did a great job defending the three, with Dallas hitting just 10 threes at 25%. The Heat also recorded 6 steals and 6 blocks in the game.

Not only do we have the Heat winning this one by a score of 148-125, but we see them covering the spread. Our pick is to grab the Heat at -2.5.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 225 and our model has the Bucks and Heat finishing with a combined 273 points. Our pick is to take the over.

Bucks and Heat Head Into NBA Cup Clash With Renewed Momentum

The Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat, two franchises with championship pedigrees, find themselves on an upward trajectory as they prepare for their NBA Cup East Group B clash on Tuesday night in Miami. Both teams have weathered early-season struggles and are now finding their rhythm, setting the stage for a compelling matchup.

Bucks Clicking Behind Giannis and Dame

The Bucks endured a rocky 2-8 start to the season, but under the leadership of head coach Doc Rivers, they’ve turned things around. Milwaukee enters Tuesday’s game riding a four-game win streak and having won six of their last seven contests. With a 2-0 record in NBA Cup play, they’ve emerged as a team to beat in East Group B.

Rivers attributes much of the team’s resurgence to the unselfish play of their superstar duo, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.

“When you have your scorers passing, it’s hard to stop you,” Rivers said.

Giannis and Dame Leading the Way

• Giannis Antetokounmpo: The NBA’s leading scorer at 32.4 points per game, Giannis is also averaging 11.9 rebounds and 6.4 assists while shooting an impressive 62.4% on two-pointers. His confidence remains unshaken.
  “My confidence has always been high because I work,” Giannis said. “Right now, we are clicking.”
• Damian Lillard: After missing three games due to a concussion, Lillard has returned to form with three double-doubles in his last four outings. He’s averaging 25.2 points and 7.4 assists per game, with 9.3 assists over the past four games.
  “He is driving to pass, and that’s not something he was doing earlier in the year,” Rivers noted.

Heat Finding Strength in Teamwork

Miami has also had its challenges, never climbing more than one game above .500 this season. However, Sunday’s 123-118 overtime victory against the Dallas Mavericks highlighted the Heat’s grit and potential. With a 1-1 record in NBA Cup play, they’ll look to build momentum in this pivotal group-stage game.

Jimmy Butler: Leading by Example

Jimmy Butler’s season-high 33 points against Dallas included a clutch, game-tying dunk with just 4.1 seconds left in regulation. Afterward, Butler praised his coach’s preparation and humorously acknowledged Duncan Robinson’s perfect assist on the play.
“He (Erik Spoelstra) studies like nobody I’ve ever seen. He drew up something incredible, and I hate to say it, but Duncan made an incredible pass,” Butler quipped.

Butler has now recorded back-to-back 30-point games and is heating up after a slow start to the season. He’s averaging 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game.

Contributions From the Bench

The Heat’s depth has been vital, especially with starting guard Terry Rozier sidelined against Dallas. Rookie Pelle Larsson stepped up with 14 points in 37 minutes, earning praise for his effort and hustle.
“Pelle plays so hard. He throws his body around,” Spoelstra said.

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Miami’s bench also features veterans Alec Burks and Kevin Love, along with promising youngsters like Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Nikola Jovic, giving the team a blend of experience and youthful energy.

Key Matchups to Watch

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. Miami’s Defense: Containing the league’s leading scorer will be a top priority for the Heat, who will need a team effort to limit Giannis’ dominance in the paint.
2. Damian Lillard’s Playmaking vs. Heat Guards: Lillard’s ability to distribute the ball effectively will test Miami’s backcourt defense.
3. Jimmy Butler’s Impact: Butler’s leadership and clutch scoring will be critical for the Heat, especially in high-pressure moments.
4. Battle of the Benches: Both teams have seen key contributions from their reserves. The second unit could swing the game in either direction.

NBA Cup Stakes

This game holds significant weight in the NBA Cup standings. With Milwaukee at 2-0 and Miami at 1-1, a victory could position either team for a strong finish in East Group B. Both squads are pointing in the right direction after early-season challenges, making Tuesday’s clash a must-watch for fans.

Will the Bucks’ star duo continue their dominance, or will the Heat’s depth and grit prevail at home? The answer awaits in Miami.