NFL
By: Edwin Duodu
Throughout the entire game of the first matchup between the Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks, you could feel the intensity and the physicality from your seats. This team apparently has much more history and similarities in common than you think. Both pride themselves on defense, led by former defensive player of the year, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jimmy Butler, who happens to be still among the best two-way players in the league.
At the conclusion of Game one, it took a game-winning shot from Khris Middleton to gift the Bucks a 1-0 lead in the series. Game two was a little bit different. Miami was dominated from start to finish, surrendering an 8-0 run in the first quarter. From that point on, you figured it would be a bad day in the office for the Heat, as the Bucks defeated them 132-98. Now the series shifts to South Beach. The Heat have to find a way to put the last game behind them and even up the series at home. For that to happen, significant adjustments need to be made. Three factors need to change if the Heat are to win in Game three.
Energy Needs To Pick Up:
In-Game two, the Heat were second to every ball. Although the Bucks shot 48% from the floor, it was evident that they still wanted it more than Miami. They never took their foot off the gas. It led to a point where there were multiple occasions where guards outworked the Heat on the offensive glass. The Bucks had 21 offensive rebounds in the game. For Miami to win any game, their scrappy nature needs to be present, especially in the playoffs. That is the definition of Heat Culture. Having the home crowd’s support should boost the spirits, but Milwaukee must feel their physicality throughout four quarters. Even if shots aren’t falling, working hard will present more opportunities for offensive possessions throughout the game.
Defense, Defense, Defense:
The Bucks made five three-pointers in Game one. They made 22 in the second game. Milwaukee was the number one scoring offense in the regular season for a reason, but their job was left too easy to complete. The Heat gave up too many open shots, to which the home side capitalized the whole game.
One bright spot for the team was the performance of Bryn Forbes, who scored 22 points and made six threes. Giannis quietly scored 31 points in the game. The matchups that were presented in the game were unfavorable to the Heat. Trevor Ariza isn’t as strong as a defender as Jae Crowder is, which is why it’s challenging to stick him onto Giannis while Bam Adebayo handles the paint.
A defensive adjustment must be made, with Dewayne Dedmon coming into a match-up with an extensive Bucks lineup. His energy and performance were the lone bright spot in Game two, leading the team in scoring with 19 points and nine rebounds. Placing Bam on Giannis may be the Heat’s only chance of neutralizing one aspect of the Bucks offense. It might pay off for Eric Spoelstra to implement the zone defense again, just to throw a different look. Overall, the defensive energy needs to pick up.
Max Players Need To Wake Up:
It’s no secret that Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo haven’t played well in the first two games. For Miami to win their games at home, both players need to step up quickly.
“I think I’m stupidly locked in,” Butler said before the playoffs starting.
Since then, Butler has averaged 13 points per game, shooting 25% for the floor. He also hasn’t taken care of the ball, with a combined seven turnovers in both games. This team will go as far as Butler will take them. He’s the man and leader. There were times in Game two where the Bucks would make an offensive run, and Butler was nowhere to slow down the tempo. Miami is near the bottom of the league in pace. His philosophy of drawing a foul or making shots to keep his team in the game wasn’t there. Instead of making shots to dig the Heat out in Game three, he needs to make sure they’re not in that predicament.
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Adebayo, on the other hand, hasn’t been aggressive enough. Aside from a forgettable 4-15 performance in Game one, he only took 11 shots in the last matchup. This came after he took three shots in the first three minutes of the game. There were too many possessions where Bam wouldn’t look at the rim, waiting for one of his teammates to flash open. In those instances, Lopez provided Bam with space for a jumper that he’s found success in hitting throughout the regular season. Struggling from the court is one aspect, but not being aggressive enough can also hinder his team from winning this series.
