Miami Heat: Why Game 1 Of NBA Playoffs Against Milwaukee Bucks Was A Must-Win
By Isiah Curry
Barring a complete turnaround, the Miami Heat are primed to have their season’s fate determined on Saturday. After an embarrassing, 113-84, Game 3 loss on Thursday to the Milwaukee Bucks, a four-game first round elimination is becoming a reality for a franchise that was committed to retaining such a competitive group — just eight months after an NBA Finals appearance.
The last time Miami had been swept in any playoff series was during the 2007 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals against the Detroit Pistons, the year after Miami won their first title in the organization’s history.
Related Story. They must throw it all at the wall early in Game 4. light
Now and after two shameful back-to-back blowout losses, including Game 3 at home amongst the 17,000 fans that were permitted inside the American Airlines Arena, they find themselves in unsettling territory once again.
The fulcrum of Miami’s inconsistent play against Milwaukee didn’t begin in Games 2 and/or 3 though, as Game 1 was unquestionably the root of their very real and apparent issues. Of course, not a living soul can see the future though.
It’s just not possible. However, it’s been severely overlooked when it comes to just how close the Heat were to winning the opening game of the Eastern Conference first-round series against the Bucks and on their home floor, nonetheless.