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CHICAGO – After an impressive 115-104 victory in Game 1, Miami has beaten Milwaukee in three of four meetings.
The Heat don’t just have the Bucks’ number. It seems they figured out the complete equation.
A loss is a long way from elimination in a seven-game set and experts say teams shouldn’t feel too high or too low, especially in a bubble environment where the absence of fans has stolen some of the fun and rituals. that players have developed. used to.
But if I were the Bucks, I’d call 911 right now and maybe even ask the National Guard to step in.
Unlike the Magic, who beat the Bucks in Game 1 and then proceeded to fold four times in a row during their Round 1 showdown, the Heat have come confidently into Round 2 knowing full well that they can beat the No. . one.
And today, they showed how.
They made Giannis Antetokounmpo look more normal and less monstrous with just 18 points in 37 minutes. And while most of the alleged MVP’s problems – six turnovers and eight missed free throws – were self-inflicted, his inability to dominate the paint was all over Miami.
The Heat are number one in the NBA in paint protection, allowing just 38.7 points per game. The power of that inside defense, which is anchored by All-Star Bam Abedayo, a menacing 6-foot-9, 255-pound wall, kept Giannis just six points behind in the shaded area.
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Although they left a lot of chips on the table, blowing 12 of 26 free throws, the Bucks made 37 of 75 shots from the field (49.3 percent) and 16 of 35 from deep (45.7 percent).
NORMALLY, THESE HIGH SHOT PERCENTAGES ARE A MAIN CLIMATE FOR SUCCESS.
Not against Miami, which rebounded Milwaukee 46-34 and opportunistically converted 19 Bucks turnovers into 28 points.
Not against Miami, whose swarming, suffocating physical defense style and punch to the nose kept the league’s highest scoring team (118.7 points per unit) to just 104 in Game 1.
And then there’s Jimmy Butler, a five-time All-Star who has enthusiastically become the face of this new generation of Heat players who are otherwise unknown or advertised.
With Miami trailing 96-95 with 6:04 to go, Butler unleashed 11 straight points to save the Heat from danger to the safety of a 106-98 lead before the final 2:19.
In all, Butler scored 15 of Miami’s 23 fourth-quarter points, drilling 6 of 8 shots in that span. He lost 40 overall and it blew a huge hole in Milwaukee’s confidence.
I’m sure Butler will get more attention in Game 2, but the Bucks need to be careful when teaming up with the Heat leader. Butler is a willing passer and Miami has a squad of snipers. They are dangerous like a box of rattlesnakes.
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But one of the biggest problems Milwaukee had in Game 1 wasn’t even on the court: Eric Bledsoe.
Without their starting point guard, the Bucks’ generally vibrant offense stalled at just 22 assists as George Hill and Wes Matthews combined for just four dimes in 60 minutes of play.
Meanwhile, the Heat had a glorious performance of 27 points and five assists from their veteran playmaker Goran Dragic.
If Bledsoe, who is dealing with a right hamstring injury, is also a scratch for Game 2, the Bucks are doomed.
A loss in Game 2 means the fat lady sings.
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