Heat vs. Bucks: The best player prop bets for Game 1

The Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks will renew their rivalry on Saturday, May 22 when the two teams clash in Game 1 of their best-of-seven first round matchup.

This is the second time they’ve met in the postseason in as many years, but Milwaukee would probably like to forget all about that first encounter. The Heat took down the heavily favored Bucks in five games in the Orlando Bubble, limiting Mike Budenholzer’s squad to just 106 points per game.

It could be a very different story on Saturday. Milwaukee crushed Miami by 47 points on Dec. 29, and cruised to a breezy 122-108 victory in their most recent dust-up on May 15. The Bucks enter as the East’s No. 3 seed, and will be eager to erase years of playoff disappointment.

We’ve examined the matchup closely and have selected the three best players props to wager on.

Double-Double by Giannis Antetkounmpo

Giannis Antetkounmpo was a walking double-double during the regular season. The reigning MVP averaged 28.1 points and 11.0 rebounds per game and finished with 41 double-doubles, the eighth highest mark in the league.

He played limited minutes against the Heat in two of their three clashes this season since the games were never in doubt, but exploded for 26 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists against Miami on Dec. 30. That’s the beauty of Antetkounmpo: Even if he’s held off the glass, he’s still capable of racking up assists. The five-time All-Star recorded double digit dimes eight times in 2020-21, included three straight games from March 11-15.

The odds for this prop are not especially appealing, so you may want to consider including it in a parlay with the two wagers below.

Pick: Yes (-305)

Jimmy Butler Over/Under 0.5 three-point field goals made

Jimmy Butler is many things. He’s a fiery leader, a defensive menace, an alpha male, and even a barista. However, one thing he’s not is a 3-point shooter. The five-time All-Star attempted just two 3-pointers per game in 2020-21 and made just 0.5.

However, there’s reason to believe that may change on Saturday. Butler went 4-for-4 from deep in his last game on May 13, and is shooting 50% from beyond the arc this month. He’s also had considerable success shooting threes against Milwaukee, nailing 45% of his attempts in the 2020 playoffs and hitting multiple treys in two games during Miami’s second round series.

Butler only needs to make one three for this prop to pay, making it the perfect second leg for your three-wager parlay.

Pick: Over 0.5 (+100)

Bam Adebayo Over/Under 9.5 rebounds

10 rebounds may seem like an easily attainable number for a player who averaged nine on the season, but this is a bad matchup for Adebayo. The Bucks finished second in the NBA in rebounding at 48.1, and were fourth in defensive rebounding percentage at 75.5%.

The Bucks’ burly bigs held Adebayo to eight boards or less in his three games against Milwaukee this season, and limited him to single digit totals in two of their playoff games in 2020.

Adebayo will still find ways to contribute on Saturday, but it won’t be on the glass.

Pick: Under 9.5 (-109)