Heat at Bucks, February 4th

Bucks up 8 at the end of one. Giannis at 13-4-4 in 9 minutes.

If the Bucks took care of the ball better (5 turnovers leading to some easy points on the other end), they'd already have a lot of separation.

For some reason, Bud decides to try a lineup without Giannis, Middleton, or Holiday (or Portis). Shockingly, the Bucks can barely get a shot off on offense and the Heat cut what as a 12 point lead down to 3.

Bucks with a terrible finish to the half to end up tied. The reasons.

1. Bucks missed 7 FTs in the second quarter.

2. Brook Lopez is absolutely unplayable against small lineups. Bud had Giannis and Connaughton ready to check in for the last 90 seconds but no stoppage. Herro goes off for 2 3s against Lopez in drop coverage to help tie it.

3. Joe Ingles was embarrassing. 0 for 5.

Bucks open up a lead to start the 3rd, but the Heat are now ahead because Lopez is getting roasted on defense in drop. It's the same problem he has against the Celtics.

Bud gets Lopez out and the Bucks immediately go from 2 down to 6 up.

So far tonight, when Joe Ingles is in, it's like the Bucks are playing 4 on 5. Just a disaster on defense and 0 for 6 from the floor on mostly wide open 3s.

Bucks up 2 after the third.

Giannis at 25-9-8 in 24 minutes.

Middleton at 20 points in 16 minutes.

If they hold Middleton to 20 minutes again, it's going to hurt the Bucks chances. They'll have to play Ingles more and this is not a good matchup for him.

This is a Tony Brothers game. What a terrible official.

Giannis has been awesome, but he's bricked a lot of FTs tonight. He's 2 for his last 7.

Bucks up 4, but 15 for 23 from the line is hurting them.

Bucks up 8. Middleton at 19:07 of playing time and he's done. Let's see if they hold on.

Bucks up 6 with 3 minutes left. Middleton sitting might lose them this game. He was rolling.

You have to be kidding. Bud brings Khris back, they push the lead to 11 and then sit him again as the Heat cut it to 7 with 2 minutes left.

Great finish after a Giannis score and then Holiday picks Herro clean and looks like he puts it away.

Giannis with a 35-15-11 triple double. He goes 13 for 19 from the floor. Unbelievable that it's his worst game of the 3 this week.

I love talking to myself.

Sometimes. I just read and let the professional do his thang. 😉🙂

I like hog-tying Bud with only using Khash money for 20 minutes or less 😆 Gives the other team a chance.

At some point you have to unleash the beast

Both kids were at their USTA matches so I missed most of the game.  

Nice to get the W against the Heat

@Boris posted:

Sometimes. I just read and let the professional do his thang. 😉🙂

I like hog-tying Bud with only using Khash money for 20 minutes or less 😆 Gives the other team a chance.

At some point you have to unleash the beast

He did put Middleton back in for another couple of minutes and that really sealed it.

Just having him out there changes a lot of things in terms of spacing. It's one thing leaving Jevon Carter, Lopez, Portis, Holiday, Connaughton, or Matthews open at the three point line. They are all decent, but not great, 3 point shooters.

Teams can't leave Grayson Allen and they are terrified of leaving Middleton wide open. Middleton is so underrated by the media and fans (including us). So far, he's just been a no-drama borderline all-star player for the last half-dozen years. He wasn't ready to go the first time they brought him back in the year and went 25 for 77 from the field. This time he's 36 for 75 from the field. His legs in are much better shape this time.

If he's healthy, they win a title last year. If Holiday, Middleton, and Giannis are healthy, the Celtics are the only team that can hang with them in a 7 game series.

That’s the key with Middleton.  He can create his own shot but more importantly you have to honor him defensively.  If you sag on defense to clog up the paint or shift to help D on Giannis then they will find Middleton and more likely than not he’s drilling the shot.  If he’s wide open it’s almost automatic.