Bucks Zone

Three takeaways from Milwaukee Bucks’ second straight loss to the Miami Heat

The Bucks lost both of their games in Miami.

Matthew Dugandzic

© Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports
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The Milwaukee Bucks faltered anew against the Miami Heat, absorbing a 111-95 loss with their star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo sitting out on Saturday night.

The Bucks ended their four-game road trip at 2-2—with the two losses dealt by the Heat after starting out with back-to-back wins against the New York Knicks (111-107) and the Atlanta Hawks (114-105).

Limited firepower

The Bucks also lost to the Heat on Thursday night, 108-102. Milwaukee didn’t have Antetokounmpo in that six-point loss, and with the two-time MVP missing in action again due to left knee soreness, the Heat scored a repeat.

Milwaukee usually turns to the Greek Freak for scoring, and without him, the Bucks’ offense sputtered. No Milwaukee player breached the 20-point scoring mark. Bobby Portis Jr. was the top scorer for the Bucks with 15 points.

It was actually a collective effort for the Bucks as Portis’ fellow starters finished in double figures. Pat Connaughton tallied 14 points, Brook Lopez finished with 13, while Jrue Holiday and Grayson Allen added 12 points each.

The Bucks were badly out-rebounded by the Heat, 32-51—something that would have not happened if only Antetokounmpo was around. Milwaukee could only muster 26 points in the paint while Miami had 54.

Scorching Miami Heat

The Heat played without Tyler Herro (Achilles soreness) and Kyle Lowry (knee discomfort) but scoring was never a problem for them in this match.

Gabe Vincent erupted for 27 points, while Bam Adebayo feasted in the paint with 20 points and 13 rebounds.

Victor Oladipo contributed 20 points and Jimmy Butler had 16 for the Heat.

Milwaukee fought hard despite its depleted roster

The Bucks started slow and trailed at the end of the first period, 28-20. Miami led by as many as 15 in the second period but Milwaukee kept fighting back and trimmed the deficit to just eight at the half, 45-53.

Vincent keyed Miami’s strong first half showing by unloading 21 of his total output in the first two quarters of play. For a while, the Bucks looked ready to pull off a huge comeback when they rallied within 62-63, midway through the third period.

Miami answered with six unanswered points to stretch its lead to 69-62. The game was never really close since then as the Heat went on to lead by as many as 19 points to win the game pulling away. Oladipo finished what Vincent started, as he scored 14 of his total production in the final half.

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Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.