NBA Playoffs: Milwaukee Bucks vs Miami Heat Game 2 Injury Updates, Lineup and Predictions

The NBA Playoffs second-round series between the Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat had a fun start. The fourth-seeded Heat upset the Bucks, who were the best team in the league. The Heat and their set up is oddly designed to neutralize a team like Milwaukee. That is what they did in game one, with Jimmy Butler having a strong offensive night.

The talking point from the loss was whether Giannis Antetokounmpo can step up when needed. Giannis had 18 points on 50% efficiency. People were puzzled by his lack of aggression and inconsistent shooting. His three-point shot was missing and he had horrid free-throw shooting capped off an ugly loss.

However, the Bucks are top-seeds for a reason. They bounced back from a game one loss to Orlando Magic, they have the tools to do the same against the Heat. Miami is almost fully healthy, missing role players Chris Silva (pelvis) and Gabe Vincent (shoulder). However, the Bucks are still missing point guard Eric Bledsoe (hamstring), who is a game-time decision.

NBA Playoffs: Miami takes a 2-0 lead?

Despite the Bucks probably being the best team in the league, it looks like the Heat has their number. They just match up well, and they forced Giannis to a subdued performance. Even if Giannis made the free throws he missed, he still would have ended up with 26 points, still below his averages. Milwaukee needs him to play like an MVP.

Miami looks hotter right now. They have reliable shooters on the wing and great defenders across the court. They also have one of the most fearless leaders in the league in Jimmy Butler. Butler led by example in game one. While him repeating a game like that is unlikely, you cannot put it past him. The Bucks saw Khris Middleton shine, but he cooled off towards the end of the game.

Basketball is a random game. Everything that went right for the Heat could go wrong next game. The Bucks always lose game ones, They lost to the Magic in the first round this year and even lost to Boston in the second round last season. However, they always come back. Let’s see if they can do it when it’s needed the most.