On Wednesday night, I took the Heat at +2.5 thinking Miami would at worst cover and maybe beat the Bucks --- but with Milwaukee expected to have a full lineup. Now comes word the champs will be without starters Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez. Thus, I think this will now be an easy Heat victory (they are slight favorites), and I'm doubling up on the moneyline on my wager. Obviously double the risk but also the reward. I recommend this strategy in certain NBA circumstances if you bet a lookahead line as I did and things change dramatically injury-wise (or COVID-wise) before tipoff. I know some bettors who took the Broncos early this week ATS and now are betting them on the ML, too, for tonight's NFL game with all the Cleveland injuries.

The Bucks received some good news following their season-opening win against Brooklyn. Jrue Holiday left that game with a heel injury, but it’s not serious and he is listed as probable for Thursday. That likely kept them as the favorites for this game despite having to play on the road. This is a big spot for the Heat, who retooled during the offseason by adding Kyle Lowry and P.J. Tucker. Tyler Herro played well in the preseason, which could be a promising sign of things to come. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Miami win this game on its home floor, so I’ll take the points.

It appears as if the Bucks' Jrue Holiday avoided an issue Tuesday when he left with a heel injury and is listed as probable here. I'm a bit skeptical that he plays but like the Heat regardless in their home opener. Milwaukee remains without two other rotation guys (Portis, DiVincenzo) and probably has a letdown coming off the opening night win over the Nets and the ring ceremony, etc. Miami is healthy and will debut Kyle Lowry.