MIAMI – The Milwaukee Bucks are riding a four-game winning streak as they prepare to take on the Miami Heat tonight at the Kaseya Center, with an opportunity to even their season record at 8-8.
Despite the late scratch of star player Giannis Antetokounmpo due to a left knee effusion, Damian Lillard stepped up, contributing 17 points and leading the Bucks to a strong 31-20 lead after the first quarter. Lillard impressively sank 4 of 5 three-point attempts, helping the Bucks shoot 55% from the field overall, while the Heat struggled with only one successful three-pointer from their seven attempts.
As it stands, the Bucks have improved to 8-9 after winning six of their last seven games, while the Heat hold an overall record of 7-7 and have recently secured three victories in their last four games.
This matchup is also significant for the Emirates Cup, with the Bucks holding a perfect 2-0 record in pool-play while the Heat is at 1-1.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was initially listed as probable due to a left calf strain, experienced a change in his condition during warmups, leading to his exclusion from the game. Doc Rivers, the coach of the Philadelphia 76ers, expressed surprise at the news during his pregame press conference, noting the unpredictable nature of player injuries.
As for Khris Middleton, he continues to make progress towards recovery. Although he did not practice on Monday, he participated in his first five-on-five session, signaling a positive step forward for the all-star player. Rivers mentioned that while Middleton is not quite ready to play, the team focuses on helping him regain full fitness.
In terms of injuries, the Bucks reported the following statuses:
– Khris Middleton, out (surgery on both ankles)
– Tyler Smith, questionable (non-COVID illness)
– AJ Johnson, probable (left Achilles tendinitis)
– MarJon Beauchamp, probable (left hamstring tendinopathy)
– Taurean Prince, probable (non-COVID illness)
– Giannis Antetokounmpo, out (left knee effusion)
The Bucks’ starting lineup for the evening will feature guards Damian Lillard and Andre Jackson Jr., forwards AJ Green and Taurean Prince, and center Brook Lopez.
From a betting perspective, the Heat are favored by 2.5 points over the Bucks, with an over/under set at 222.5 points according to BetMGM.
As the Bucks aim for another victory amidst their momentum, they will be looking to adapt to the challenges presented by missing key players. This situation could present an opportunity for rising talents to shine and contribute to the team’s success moving forward. The resilience shown during this time could lay a strong foundation as the season progresses.