Miami Heat: 3 things to watch for in Game 1 against Milwaukee Bucks

As the Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks prepare to tip-off, a look at three things to watch in Game 1 of the second-round series.

No one is one hundred percent sure what to expect in this Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks second-round series. But in Game 1, expect to see two teams hungry to make a statement.

Jimmy Butler is in his inaugural season with the Miami Heat and he couldn’t be off to a better start. Not only did he lead them into the playoffs, but they’re positioned with a real shot at their first NBA Finals appearance since the 2013 championship year.

On the other side of the floor, you’ve got the reigning MVP and recently named Defensive Player of the Year for this season in Giannis Antetokounmpo. He wants to win, and he wants to win now, presumably before agreeing to a supermax extension to remain in Milwaukee.

Two alpha dogs are looking to will their teams to an NBA Finals, but only one can achieve their goal. That being said, a look at three things to watch in Game 1 of this second-round series.

Will Duncan Robinson come out firing on all cylinders?

Duncan Robinson has been one of the best (if not the best) shooters in the NBA this season. Yet while he finished the series sweep over the Indiana Pacers averaging 44 percent from behind the arc, his shot from deep was somewhat of a roller coaster over the four-game span.

Robinson went just two-for-eight in Game 1, finishing with just six points on the night. Then Miami made it an effort to feature the sharpshooter early in Game 2, which paid off, as he put up 24 points on a scorching seven-of-eight shooting from three.

That’s where his hot streak ended, unfortunately for the Heat, with Robinson going just three-for-11 from deep combined over Games 4 and 5. They’ll need a more consistent contribution from the sharpshooter if they’re going to secure a series win over Milwaukee.

How he starts out the series in Game 1 may set the tone for his shooting this series.

Who’s going to guard Brook Lopez?

We know Butler is going to guard Khris Middleton, Bam Adebayo is going to guard Antetokounmpo, and we know Goran Dragic is matched up with Eric Bledsoe. But who on this Miami Heat team will open things up guarding big man Brook Lopez?

The seven-footer finished round one averaging 13.4 points on 36 percent shooting from deep. Knowing that Antetokounmpo is the biggest post threat, Lopez will have an opportunity to make his presence known there against the Heat, if not guarded properly.

To start things off, it’s likely veteran enforcer Jae Crowder will draw the assignment. He’s been able to cover all ends of the floor on both ends of the ball for Miami since they acquired him at the February trade deadline. As a starter in the frontcourt, Lopez will be his responsibility.

Or maybe head coach Erik Spoelstra goes big and tries to match Milwaukee’s size with someone like Meyers Leonard, who started 49 games for the Heat this year. He’s yet to play a minute in these playoffs but could see his number called against this Bucks team.

How is Jimmy Butler’s shoulder?

Fans received quite the scare in Game 4 when Butler left the court and headed for the locker room in the first half with a left shoulder strain. While he did return for the second half, Miami’s alpha was clearly favoring his left shoulder, almost making him a non-factor on offense.

That’s fine and dandy when you’re facing that Pacers team, but the Heat are going to need the best of Butler in every game of this series. If his shoulder is fine, they should get just that. Butler finished the first round averaging 19.8 points and 2.5 steals in four games.

“Playoff Jimmy” is a real thing, that much has been proven. But Butler needs to be healthy to fully don this persona in a potentially seven-game series against Milwaukee.

For Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat, the next step to a championship starts on Monday evening. Game 1 against the Milwaukee Bucks will tip-off at 6:30 pm est. Coverage will be provided by TNT.