The No. 3 seed Milwaukee Bucks and No. 6 seed Miami Heat have the makings of the most intriguing first-round series in the 2021 NBA playoffs. Miami made quick work of Milwaukee in the second round of last year’s postseason, though the rematch isn’t expected to go the same way.

Who’s Favored?

After being upset in 2020, the Bucks are favored to get their revenge. Milwaukee has -310 odds at FanDuel Sportsbook to defeat Miami in the best-of-seven series, The Heat are +240 underdogs.

Players To Watch

Jimmy Butler usually saves his best for the postseason, as evidenced by his play during Miami’s run to the 2020 NBA Finals. Butler averaged 21.5 points per game in the regular season with career-highs of 6.9 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 49.7% field-goal shooting, though he didn’t play in the Heat’s biggest matchups. Miami found a way to stop Giannis Antetokounmpo a season ago.

Will the addition of Jrue Holiday be enough to get Milwaukee to the second round?

Series Schedule

Miami and Milwaukee kick off the 2021 playoffs with Game 1 Saturday afternoon. Game 2 is set for Monday. The start times of Games 5-7 are to be determined.

Prediction

Butler and Bam Adebayo allow the Heat to defend Antetokounmpo as well as anyone. Now that Holiday can take some of the ball-handling duties and less pressure is on Khris Middleton, the Bucks might be able to escape an upset this time around. Milwaukee's home-court advantage as opposed to playing inside the league's bubble could be a major factor.

Bucks over Heat in seven

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, center, moves the ball against Miami's Jae Crowder, left, and Tyler Herro in a 130-116 victory Thursday that clinched a top seed for the NBA playoffs for the Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, center, moves the ball against Miami's Jae Crowder, left, and Tyler Herro in a 130-116 victory Thursday that clinched a top seed for the NBA playoffs for the Bucks GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / POOL
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