Milwaukee Bucks vs Miami Heat is perhaps the juiciest (next to Knicks/Hawks) EC matchup as far as round 1 goes. This rematch of the 2020 semis is a serious competition between the explosiveness of Giannis Antetokounmpo and the courage of Jimmy Butler. That was on show when the Bucks beat the Heat 109-107 in an OT game. 

Now, the Miami-based franchise will operate in urgency as they would not want to feel the tremendous pressure that comes with a 0-2. But do they have it in them to bury their offensive worries and show some consistent scoring?

Milwaukee Bucks vs Miami Heat: Injury updates and lineup prediction

For the Heat, shooting guard Victor Oladipo (injured quad) is out for the season and might not return until November. Also, center Omer Yurtseven will remain a day-to-day decision for the Monday night game.

Probable lineup – Jimmy Butler (F), Trevor Ariza (F), Bam Adebayo (C), Duncan Robinson (G), and Kendrick Nunn (G)

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For the Bucks, small forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo (tendon injury) has suffered an avulsion fracture and would not return for two weeks. 

Possible starting five – Giannis Antetokounmpo (F), Khris Middleton (F), Brook Lopez (C), Jrue Holiday (G), and Donte DiVincenzo (G)

Twitter Goes Crazy as Khris Middleton Wins Game For Milwaukee Bucks Against Miami Heat

Who wins? 

Duncan Robinson started the bid for the Heat with triple three-pointers in Game 1, showing what he can do as a catch-and-shoot candidate. Reverse guard Goran Dragic dropping 25 points off the bench was another refreshing thing for the Heat apart from Tyler Herro’s cameo. Still, if not for Jimmy’s last-second layup, the Bucks were on the top of the game. 

The major problem for the Heat is their offense, and Jimmy Butler’s duo with Bam Adebayo can not settle for a meager 26 points and hope for a win.

However, the one area where the Heat impressed everyone was their defense around Giannis Antetokounmpo. For a large part of game 1, Erik Spoelstra’s men restricted the Greek Freak inside the paint, and that helped. But they must remember how Khris Middleton is capable of a clutch play and how Jrue Holiday is a great two-way player. 

If Butler keeps himself from turnovers and Bam can stay more agile than Brook Lopez, the Heat have a chance. We predict Miami Heat winning it but again with a close margin call.