PREMIUM
Stephen Nover's NBA Tuesday Terminator - Epic 12-2 (86%) NBA Hot Streak
(NBA) Miami vs. Milwaukee,
Point Spread: -2.50 | -107.00 Miami (Away)
Result: Win
Point Spread: -2.50 | -107.00 Miami (Away)
Result: Win
Maybe the Bucks rise above the ashes and stay alive in this series. Milwaukee avoided a painful 4-0 sweep by winning Game 4 in overtime despite missing Giannis Antetokounmpo for nearly the last three quarters.
That was a great team effort by the Bucks. But I also see it as their lone highlight of this series.
The Bucks are not going to win this game because of three major reasons: 1. Miami is a nightmare matchup for them. 2. Antetokounmpo is unlikely to play because of a sprained ankle. If he does, he'll be severely hobbled. 3. Milwaukee's mental frame is shot due to a loss of confidence and lack of focus that was caused by leading the boycott following the police shooting of Jacob Blake in its home state.
Jimmy Butler is now the best player on the court with Antetokounmpo ailing. The Heat are able to exploit the Bucks' perimeter defense while their own defensive strength takes away Milwaukee's strong offensive elements of scoring off the fast break and scoring inside. The Heat gave up the fewest fastbreak points in the league and ranked in the Top 5 in defense inside the paint. Butler and Bam Adebayo are two of the premier defensive players in the NBA.
These matchup edges have helped the Heat beat the Bucks in five of seven meetings this season. Now the Heat smell blood. The Bucks aren't right in the head and the great Giannis is hurt.
Too bad for Milwaukee because up until the season was put on hold, the Bucks were the best team in the league. That certainly is not the case now.
That was a great team effort by the Bucks. But I also see it as their lone highlight of this series.
The Bucks are not going to win this game because of three major reasons: 1. Miami is a nightmare matchup for them. 2. Antetokounmpo is unlikely to play because of a sprained ankle. If he does, he'll be severely hobbled. 3. Milwaukee's mental frame is shot due to a loss of confidence and lack of focus that was caused by leading the boycott following the police shooting of Jacob Blake in its home state.
Jimmy Butler is now the best player on the court with Antetokounmpo ailing. The Heat are able to exploit the Bucks' perimeter defense while their own defensive strength takes away Milwaukee's strong offensive elements of scoring off the fast break and scoring inside. The Heat gave up the fewest fastbreak points in the league and ranked in the Top 5 in defense inside the paint. Butler and Bam Adebayo are two of the premier defensive players in the NBA.
These matchup edges have helped the Heat beat the Bucks in five of seven meetings this season. Now the Heat smell blood. The Bucks aren't right in the head and the great Giannis is hurt.
Too bad for Milwaukee because up until the season was put on hold, the Bucks were the best team in the league. That certainly is not the case now.