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Fixture: Miami Heat vs Milwaukee Bucks
Date & Time: Thursday, August 6th, 4 PM ET (Friday 1:30 AM IST)
Venue: The Arena (WWOS), Orlando, FL
If things go their way, the Milwaukee Bucks would clinch the first seed in the East even before this game tips off. Meanwhile, the Miami Heat are currently occupying the fourth spot with a 43-25 record. Thus, there's a good chance that both these teams face each other in the second round of the NBA Playoffs and this tie becomes more of a precursor to that.
Miami Heat Preview
The Miami Heat have done well so far in the NBA bubble against three top teams. They blew out the Denver Nuggets, drove the Toronto Raptors to the limit in a tough loss, and controlled the proceedings from start to finish against the Boston Celtics.
Jimmy Butler hasn't been at his lethal best and continues to be sidelined with soreness in his right foot but the team has still managed to pull through. Goran Dragic has impressed in particular but will be missing the game against the Milwaukee Bucks due to an ankle sprain he suffered against Boston.
Key Player - Bam Adebayo
Bam Adebayo has adjusted quickly to life inside the NBA bubble despite joining the Miami Heat in Orlando only in late July. He's coming off the back of a 21-point 12-rebound game against the Celtics. More importantly, he's recorded a double-double in each of the Miami Heat's two fixtures against Milwaukee this season.
Heat Predicted Lineup
Kendrick Nunn, Duncan Robinson, Jae Crowder, Kelly Olynyk, Bam Adebayo
Milwaukee Bucks Preview
The Milwaukee Bucks have lost a bit of their way in their last few outings. They went 52-8 in their first 60 games but lost six of the next eight fixtures.
Mike Budenholzer's decision to give the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Eric Bledsoe extended minutes in the first half before resting them backfired as the Brooklyn Nets secured a surprising 119-116 win over the Bucks.
Although this may look like a red flag, it must be pointed out that the Bucks are only coming short by small margins and a few tweaks will likely solve their problems. At the same time, expect them to play that much harder against the Miami Heat whom they are yet to beat this season.
Key Player - Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo only managed 13 points on 6-of-18 shooting in the Milwaukee Bucks' last outing against Miami where they slumped to an 89-105 loss. Thus, he'll be expected to do better on Thursday by Mike Budenholzer. Giannis had 16 points in 16 minutes against Brooklyn so he will be heading into this tie with confidence.
Bucks Predicted Lineup
Eric Bledsoe, Wesley Matthews, Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez
Heat vs Bucks Match Prediction
The Miami Heat are the only team to have the Milwaukee Bucks' number this season. However, they will be missing Dragic and Butler in this game. The Bucks are going through a rough patch but that's primarily due to them experimenting with their rotation a bit. Although this will be another close tie, the Milwaukee Bucks start as the favorites on paper against the Miami Heat.
Where to watch Heat vs Bucks?
Local coverage of the game will be available on FOX Sports Sun and FOX Sports Wisconsin. The fixtu will also be telecasted nationwide on TNT. You can also live stream this match-up via the NBA League Pass.
Also read: Indiana Pacers vs Phoenix Suns Prediction & Match Preview - August 6th, 2020
Guess the Lakers players!
