The Milwaukee Bucks host the Miami Heat in the second game of this Eastern Conference first-round series from Fiserv Forum on Wednesday night.
Update Injury for Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat
On Wednesday night, all eyes will be on the Bucks as they look to even the series after a shocking loss at home over the weekend.
Milwaukee, which has one of the best home records in the NBA, is excited to have the opportunity to rebound in front of one of the best fan bases in the league.
Even with the injury concerns, they have plenty to like about their chances as they head to Miami trailing 0-2 in the series.
They are not only one of the most balanced teams in the league on both ends, but also in the backcourt and frontcourt.
Milwaukee knows that with an average road record this year, this game could very well determine how the rest of the series plays out.
The obvious source of concern is Giannis Antetokounmpo (back), who was injured early in game one.
His absence clearly influenced the outcome of that game, and being without one of the league’s most dominant players for the second straight game would be a nightmare for the Bucks.
Antetokounmpo (back) is questionable for Game 2 against the Heat.
Antetokounmpo is expected to miss Wednesday’s game due to a lower back contusion sustained in Game 1 on a hard fall.
If Antetokounmpo is ultimately ruled out, Jae Crowder, Bobby Portis, Pat Connaughton, and Joe Ingles are all candidates to fill in.
Even if Giannis gives it a shot, he won’t be nearly as effective as he has been all season.
In the absence of Giannis, Khris Middleton shined with 33 points (12-20 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 7-10 FT), nine rebounds, and four assists in 33 minutes.
Middleton returned to the starting lineup after missing the final two regular-season games due to a knee injury, sparking Milwaukee’s offense with team-high totals in scoring and rebounds while falling one rebound short of a double-double.
If Antetokounmpo (back) is ruled out of Game 2 on Wednesday, Middleton will be given a larger offensive role.
The Heat stunned the basketball world on Sunday by pulling off the upset, and even with the injury advantage, they won’t mind being up 1-0.
Each team won their pair of home games in the four regular season meetings between the two teams, making Miami’s road win all the more surprising.
Jimmy Butler led the game with 35 points (15-27 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 5-8 FT) in 43 minutes, along with five rebounds, 11 assists, and three steals.
Butler led all players in scoring and had the most assists on the team in his double-double performance on Sunday.
Butler only had one game with at least 35 points and 10 assists during the regular season, a 35-point, 12-assist performance against Dallas on April 1.
Butler’s performance is critical if the Heat are to pull off a miracle against the Bucks.
This is most likely the game that could go either way, and fans will want to stay tuned in to see how this series develops.
The Heat were one of the biggest underdogs heading into the series openers on the weekend, and they had a terrible road record entering the playoffs, sitting at 18-24, so they may struggle to win their second straight game on Wednesday night.
It was Miami’s first road win in two previous trips to Milwaukee this season, but they know that if they can make it a 2-0 series lead when they return to Miami, that could be enough to swing the series.
Injuries aided them in game one but could be a concern in game two, despite the fact that depth will keep them in every game in this series.
As previously stated, the Heat are dealing with a slew of injuries heading into game two. Tyler Herro (hand) is expected to be out for at least a month, which will be a devastating blow to Miami’s perimeter scoring.
With Kyle Lowry (knee) out for Wednesday night, Miami’s backcourt looks thin for game two.
- MORE NBA: Anthony Davis, LeBron James and Ja Morant play Wednesday? Injury Report Lakers – Grizzlies
Injury Report Heat:
- Kyle Lowry (Knee) – Questionable
- Nikola Jovic (Back) – Out
- Tyler Herro (Hand) – Out
Injury Report Bucks:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (Back) – Questionable
- Wesley Matthews (Calf) – Out
