In preparation for their anticipated extended run in the Eastern Conference playoffs, the Milwaukee Bucks have been resting.
With a victory of 102-91 over the visiting Chicago Bulls in a play-in elimination game, the Miami Heat just advanced into the postseason. After losing on Tuesday to the Atlanta Hawks, who were visiting, the Heat were faced with the challenge of winning or going home.
The Heat currently hold the No. 8 seed as they travel to play the top-cultivated Bucks in Game 1 on Sunday. Milwaukee, which had the NBA’s best normal season record (58-24), rested MVP finalist Giannis Antetokounmpo in the last three rounds of the customary season.
When Antetokounmpo spoke to reporters, he was aware of the opponent in the first round, but he wasn’t looking past the Heat. However, Milwaukee’s core group, which includes Jrue Holiday, Brook Lopez, a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year, Khris Middleton, and Bobby Portis and is just two years removed from winning the NBA title, has the highest expectations.
After losing their bid for the title in the Eastern Conference semifinals the year before, the Bucks are also well aware of the significance of having homecourt advantage. In Game 7, the Boston Celtics won because they played at home.
The Heat were the last group to qualify in the East subsequent to completing Friday’s success with a 15-1. Jimmy Butler and Max Strus each scored 31 points.
The Heat, who lost in the East finals to the Celtics last year, won nine fewer games in the regular season and finished 44-38.
Miami and Milwaukee split the season series, with Milwaukee winning all four games. In January, Antetokounmpo missed both games because of knee soreness, but the Heat won both games in three days. He participated in both of the Bucks’ victories in February, but he was forced to leave the 128-99 victory on February 24 due to a knee injury.
In the last four seasons, the teams have met three times in the playoffs. In 2020, Miami won five games, and in 2021, Milwaukee won a sweep.
