loading...
League Logo
NBA
League Logo
NBA
League Logo
CBB
League Logo
NHL
All

Heat vs. Bucks NBA playoffs Game 2 injury report, odds, trends: Mixed spread action with Giannis Antetokounmpo questionable, Tyler Herro out

Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo likely will be a game-time decision for Game 2 vs. Miami.

The spread for Game 2 of the Miami Heat-Milwaukee Bucks Eastern Conference playoff series Wednesday in Milwaukee has been bouncing all over the place. At first, Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo was listed as doubtful, but he's now been upgraded to questionable. We know the Heat will be without third-leading scorer Tyler Herro. Betting action is mixed at BetMGM. Click here for model picks.

The Bucks dropped to as low as -6 with Antetokounmpo doubtful, but are now back up to -8.5 with the update. Thus far, 48% of the bets and 51% of the money on are the Bucks, but that was before the Antetokounmpo news. The total opened at 220.5 and is now 219.5 with 64% of the bets and 84% of the money on the Under.

Antetokounmpo played only 11 minutes in Milwaukee's 130-117 upset loss in Game 1. He suffered a contusion on his lower back after he fell to the floor charging while defending Heat forward Kevin Love. There is no structural damage and Antetokounmpo didn't practice Tuesday. If the Bucks had won Game 1, perhaps it's more likely Antetokounmpo sits out to rest for Game 3 on Saturday, but Milwaukee obviously doesn't want to head to Miami down 2-0. 

Reserve Wesley Matthews (strained right calf) has been ruled out for Game 2. He had six points and three rebounds in 18 minutes in Game 1.

This is the sixth time in 11 playoff series under coach Mike Budenholzer that the have Bucks lost a playoff series opener. Milwaukee did win the series in five of those six instances. The last time the Bucks dropped a Game 1 was during their 2021 NBA title run, when they lost the first game of each series besides the Finals. 

Boston is now the +270 title favorite with a 2-0 lead over Atlanta. The Bucks were favored entering the postseason but are now second at +340.

Herro was the 2021-22 NBA Sixth Man of the Year but moved into the starting lineup this year and averaged 20.1 points per game while leading the NBA in free-throw shooting at 93.4%. He broke his right hand diving for a ball in Game 1 and will miss 4-6 weeks. Herro scored 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting in 19 minutes. The Heat were 7-8 without him this year.

The three most-wagered player props as of now for this game: Miami's Gabe Vincent Over 2.5 assists (-135) and Jimmy Butler Under 28.5 points (-125), and Milwaukee's Jrue Holiday Over 20.5 points (-105). Holiday's numbers surely would be adjusted if Antetokounmpo plays.

Get more out of your SportsLine subscription! 

Qualifying SportsLine members receive a 30-day free trial of Paramount+ premium. Sync your account right here.

Matt Severance
Matt SeveranceSeverance Pays

Share This Story

SportsLine Logo

YOU'VE UNLOCKED OUR BEST DEAL!

GET YOUR FIRST QUARTER OF SPORTSLINE FOR 50% OFF WITH PROMO CODE 'CLUB'!