The Miami Heat will set out to grab a commanding lead in their first-round series with the Milwaukee Bucks at a time when the best player on each team is battling an injury.
The Bucks reportedly will have Giannis Antetokounmpo back on the court when the two Eastern Conference foes convene for Game 4 on Monday night in Miami. The eighth-seeded Heat lead the series 2-1.
Antetokounmpo, listed as questionable, participated in Monday’s morning shootaround and is expected to play, barring any setbacks. He missed the past two games with a lower back contusion. As for the Heat, star forward Jimmy Butler (bruised glute) also is listed as questionable.
Antetokounmpo was injured in Game 1, and the top-seeded Bucks split the two contests he missed.
Milwaukee coach Mike Budenholzer said Antetokounmpo didn’t practice Sunday but was able to do individual work. Budenholzer said the team will continue to monitor the health of the two-time league MVP.
Without their star, the Bucks had big issues on Saturday when they were pounded 121-99 by Miami.
Milwaukee trailed by as many as 29 points and committed 18 turnovers — including five apiece by Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton — while struggling with the Heat’s defensive tactics.
Butler scored 30 points in 28 minutes on Saturday and is averaging an even 30 for the series. He was injured on a fall after driving for a basket with just over four minutes left in the third quarter and left for good a short time later.
Butler wasn’t interested in discussing his injury on Sunday, and Miami coach Erik Spoelstra downplayed the severity.
Duncan Robinson was 5-of-6 from 3-point range while scoring 20 points in Game 3. He figures to receive additional opportunities with the Heat short-handed on the perimeter.
Miami lost Tyler Herro (broken right hand) in Game 1 and fellow guard Victor Oladipo (torn patellar tendon in left knee) in Game 3. The Oladipo injury came on a drive to the hoop in which his knee gave out and he landed hard under the basket.
Also, Miami center Bam Adebayo (left hamstring) is less than 100 percent. He’s listed as probable for Game 4.
Meanwhile, Spoelstra said there will be multiple game plans and roster implementations looming based on whether Antetokounmpo plays for Milwaukee, which won the NBA title two seasons ago.
The Bucks know improved play is a must after being walloped in Game 3. If not, they could head home for Game 5 facing elimination.
Bucks guard Wesley Matthews (calf) will miss his third straight contest.
