The Miami Heat had a chance to close their second-round series over Milwaukee on Tuesday. They weren’t able to, but it isn’t all bad for the Heat.
The Miami Heat entered Sunday’s Game Four with a chance to shut the door on the Milwaukee Bucks in their second-round series. Being up 3-0 heading into the game, all the momentum was in the Heat’s favor.
It was also worth noting that Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks was questionable coming into the game with an ankle injury. He would eventually suit up.
It started and progressed as every other game has, back and forth for the most part. Then, Giannis Antetokounmpo hurt his ankle again and was done for the game.
Entering the second half we found out for certain that this would be the case for the Bucks. That certainly meant a Miami Heat win, didn’t it? It was not to be for the Heat on Sunday as they were eventually outlasted by the Antetokounmpo-less Bucks.
While it all seems bad at the moment, squandering a chance to put this team out of their misery, especially without their best player, and with the opportunity to rest up while waiting on our opponents in the next round, it isn’t exactly all negative here.
The Miami Heat didn’t get the sweep done on Sunday, but it isn’t all bad. Here’s what we mean.
This is the thing. The Miami Heat were bound to face adversity at some point in these playoffs after winning their first seven games straight.
After being beat by the Bucks in Game four, while being up 3-0, and especially with it being without Giannis on the floor, the Miami Heat’s antennae should be fully up. There should be no more lulls, as this was the proverbial wake-up call that they needed.
I am no fool, as of course I wanted them to finish it today, but they were bound to have to be able to make a bounce back at some point in these playoffs. Hopefully, this is the one that does it, rather than having their first real adversity come at them in the Conference or dare I say… NBA Finals.
They lost this one, but they have another chance to end it on Tuesday and they should be as motivated as ever to do so. That’s why even though they were beaten on Sunday, the defeat isn’t all that bad.