The Brooklyn Nets are favored to win the Eastern Conference. Right behind them in the BetMGM odds are the Milwaukee Bucks, and then the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Miami Heat just keeps winning more games than those teams, or anyone else in the East.
There’s a really good NBA game tonight between two teams that could meet in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Bucks host the Heat. Milwaukee is a 3.5-point favorite at BetMGM.
On one hand the line isn’t crazy. The Bucks, at their healthiest and best, are still a good team. They just seem entirely uninterested in the regular season, which is why they’re dropping plenty of head-scratching games. Nobody remembers what you did in the regular season anyway, only if you do something like drop 50 points in an NBA Finals clincher.
Still, when are the Heat going to get a little more respect?
Miami has the best record in the East, leading the Chicago Bulls by two games. They blew out the Bucks 137-95 in their season opener and have been very good ever since. They have dealt with some big injuries and keep winning. A 112-99 win over the Bulls in their last game said a lot.
There’s some playoff history between these two teams. The Heat upset the Bucks in the 2020 bubble, then the Bucks swept Miami in the first round last year. The Heat are 2-1 against the Bucks this season, but lost the only meeting in Milwaukee 124-102. The Heat didn’t have Jimmy Butler or Bam Adebayo in that game.
Miami is a good, tough team that can not only win the East but maybe an NBA title too. They shouldn’t be getting 3.5 points, even on the road against Milwaukee. Next up for the Heat after Wednesday’s game against the Bucks is a date at the Nets, which might help further clear up confusion about who should be favored in the East.
Here’s the first look at the sports betting slate for Wednesday;
What else is happening in the NBA?
Unfortunately, ESPN went for the New York Knicks-Philadelphia 76ers game over Heat-Bucks, even though the Knicks are awful. The 76ers are fun though, as they try to figure out their new lineup with James Harden. The 76ers are favored by 10.5 and that might not be enough.
Charlotte Hornets at Cleveland Cavaliers is another fun game between two young, sometimes inconsistent teams. The Cavs are a 3.5-point favorite and probably the right side there.
Anything big in college hoops?
The Big South, NEC and Ohio Valley have tournament games, but nothing among the top seeds. That will come later in the week. We’ll have previews of every college tournament, and they’ll be added to this thread as they are published. March is here.
In top 25 action the most interesting game might be No. 14 Arkansas hosting LSU. The Razorbacks are one of those teams that is getting very hot late in the season and has the look of a team that could make a long NCAA tournament run. They’re 5.5-point favorites against LSU and worth checking out if you want to get an early jump on your bracket homework.
What’s the best bet?
I’ll take the Heat. A moneyline bet is reasonable, too. Miami looks like a team that can win the East, and their +450 odds to take the conference aren’t bad at all.
