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Three matchups to watch in Bucks vs Heat Playoff series

By Kenny Jilek

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 26: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat dribbles the ball while being guarded by Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks in the second quarter at the Fiserv Forum on October 26, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 26: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat dribbles the ball while being guarded by Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks in the second quarter at the Fiserv Forum on October 26, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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The Milwaukee Bucks square off with the Miami Heat in round two of the NBA Playoffs and these will be three critical matchups if they want to advance.

After dropping game one of the first round series to the Orlando Magic, who very unfairly had home court advantage every game, the Milwaukee Bucks bounced back and won four in a row to complete the gentlemen’s sweep. Now, they face a much tougher opponent in the Miami Heat and they’ll have to win a few big matchups to take the series.

One of the scariest things about this Miami Heat team is their ability to shoot the ball from behind the arc. Their 37.9 percent mark as a team is second in the league and they have plenty of guys who can knock down shots. The Bucks, meanwhile, prioritize defending the paint so the Heat will have open looks, it’s just about limiting them and getting enough pressure that they miss enough for the Bucks to win games.

Offensively, Milwaukee needs to get more from Khris Middleton than they did in the Magic series, as he shot just 36.1 percent from the field in those five games. Eric Bledsoe also needs to step up his outside shooting after a 5-18 performance from behind the arc in round one, but his 6.6 assists per game led the team. They will also need Brook Lopez to continue his impressive bubble run and continued outside shooting from Wesley Matthews and George Hill who shot a combined 16-38 from deep, 42.1 percent, over the past five games.

Of course, the biggest impact player and difference-maker for the Milwaukee Bucks will be Giannis Antetokounmpo. He averaged 30.6 points, 16.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists in just 31.7 minutes per game. Now, he will face another defense that will have five guys all with eyes on him when he has the ball.

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