The Eastern Conference Semifinals have begun. After the Celtics took on the Raptors last night, it’s time for the other big fixture. The number one seed Milwaukee Bucks take on the fifth seed Miami Heat tonight in Game 1 of the series.
Following their 4-0 win against the Pacers, the Heat will be in great spirits. The Pacers were one of the hottest teams in the seeding games, but the Heat defused them. Every game was a convincing win for the Heat, and they should be in for a fight.
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They will be relieved after Jimmy Butler and Jae Crowder are off the injury report. While Chris Silva remains sidelined, Gabe Vincent will be a game-time decision. The Heat will continue to roll with their lineup consisting of Goran Dragic and Duncan Robinson as the guards, Jimmy Butler and Jae Crowder as the forwards, and Bam Adebayo as the center.
Can the Milwaukee Bucks begin with a win?
The Bucks come into the clash as the favorites. Not only because of their seeding, but also because of the DPOY winner and MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo. He was dominating against the Magic and he will be expected to repeat it.
They enter Game 1 with just one injury concern. Eric Bledsoe is questionable after a hamstring injury. Although it will be a game-time decision, his inclusion looks likely. So the Bucks starting line up will look like Eric Bledsoe and Wesley Matthews as the guards, Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo as the forwards, and Brook Lopez as the center.
This series could be a long affair. They played twice before entering the Bubble with the Heat winning both games. Then in the Bubble, when the Heat were without Butler and Dragic, the Bucks walked away with the win.
Giannis may have gone on rampage against the other teams, but the Heat have a solution for him. Sophomore Adebayo has been great defensively against Giannis and he could the big difference in the series. Against the Heat center, Giannis’ points per possession drops drastically from 1.16 to 0.545 points per 100. This is his lowest against a single player in his career.
If the Heat are able to stop Giannis, the win is going to be within their hands. The Bucks’ overreliance on Giannis in the Playoffs has been apparent, and the Heat will look to expose that. The way the Heat have been playing with confidence, they can start the series with an upset win. They will need a combined effort from the team and it is achievable for this young and exciting team.
