Jacari McRae | May 1st, 2020
At the Covid-19 break, the Miami Heat currently sits in fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings. If the season resumes right into the playoffs, the Heat would host the Indiana Pacers in the first round. Should the Heat advance to the next round, they would likely face the Milwaukee Bucks, a team they beat twice this season. The Heat’s success against Milwaukee has given Heat rookie Tyler Herro huge confidence in his team’s ability to make a run in the East. Via ESPN’s Eric Woodyard:
“It was just a blessing, really, to be able to play against my hometown in Milwaukee and then in Miami, so with the success we had on them, we definitely felt like we could make a run at it in the playoffs,” Herro said. “Obviously, Milwaukee is the No. 1 team in the East, so we definitely feel like we can make a run if the season gets back, so we’re definitely looking forward to it.”
How the Heat Do It
One of the reasons the Heat have been successful against Milwaukee this season is their ability to slow down Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Heat’s “build a wall” defense against Giannis has been successful so far this season. Whenever Giannis attacked the paint, he would see multiple Heat defenders. And it also helps to have Bam Adebayo guard the league MVP. Adebayo has the perfect combination of size, strength, and athleticism to guard Giannis.
Another reason the Heat have been a bad matchup for Milwaukee is because of their hot shooting from beyond the arc. The Bucks’ defense allows the most three-pointers per game. Miami, who ranks second in three-point percentage, took advantage of that by shooting 48.6 percent from beyond the arc in their last matchup.
Beating Milwaukee two times in the regular season is one thing. However, beating them four times in the playoffs is another. But with the way the Heat have played against Milwaukee this season, they can make it an interesting series. Hopefully, we’ll get a chance to see the matchup once the season resumes.
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Main Credit Image: https://therookiewire.usatoday.com/2019/10/21/zion-williamson-injury-tyler-herro-rookie-of-the-year/
