Ultimate preview of the Miami Heat’s In-Season Tournament group opponents

Fourth opponent: The Bucks

Those within the Miami Heat circle have seen first-hand just how impactful Milwaukee’s off-season moves have been in the preliminary stage of the season. General manager Jon Horst wasted no time in getting to work after their borderline-pathetic playoff exit to the Heat: Mike Budenholzer’s five-year spell as head coach was concluded, replacing him was long-time assistant Adrian Griffin.

Star-power arrived in abundance to Fiserv Forum in the form of one of the league’s all-time top 75 players in Damian Lillard, who has already won the Bucks a game with a classic clutch-time performance in Milwaukee’s opening bout. The acquisition of Malik Beasley on a minimum deal could prove to be one of the steals of the offseason, and 29-year-old point guard Cam Payne will add more expertise and quality depth to their ranks. Retaining all-stars Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez highlight a desperation to win at all costs, as they now possess arguably the league’s strongest rotation.

The Bucks’ pressure on the offensive glass and in their transition defense caused paramount problems for the Heat in their eight-point deficit victory on Monday, as a lethargic and flat-footed Miami were dismantled by the lively and energetic Bucks. Giannis has proven his freakish quality in all three of Milwaukee’s openers: averaging 27 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 56% from the field.

However, the Bucks were well-beaten in Atlanta — a performance described by some in their circle as their worst defensive showing since the Jason Kidd era. Lillard’s six-point performance meant that their dry spells in front of the basket were especially costly, and the Hawks cut apart their defense with ease with their high-low actions. The athletic powerhouse Clint Capela obliterated Milwaukee on the glass, collecting 10 rebounds, and the dynamism of Trae Young caused them problems all throughout the 48.

Middleton has started the season with a noticeable minutes restriction, and his full return to the ranks has the potential of turning Milwaukee into an indestructible machine in this year’s regular season. Even in his absence and an out-of-rhythm offense, the Bucks still had enough to close out an impressive victory over the conference’s third biggest threat, the Philadelphia 76ers, through the explosive firepower of Dame who will have his eyes firmly set on securing that ring.

The eighth-seed Heat won both of their home games against Budenholzer’s iteration of the Bucks in last season’s playoff encounter, but, as we have already seen, Milwaukee will land in Miami as a different beast altogether. A victory over the Bucks at the end of November, in the final group match, would most likely see Miami advance to the quarter-final stages providing that they can handle business to some degree in the previous three.