The Heat went to Milwaukee hoping to take one game from the top-seeded Bucks. They accomplished that, winning Game 1.
An opportunity presented itself to come back home up 2-0 with Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo missing Game 2 with a back injury, but instead the Bucks rolled to a dominant 138-122 win. Now the series comes to Miami for two games where the Heat will try to seize control of the five remaining games, starting with Game 3 at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Kaseya Center.
“We did what we were supposed to do. We got one, split on the road,” forward Max Strus said. “Now it’s important to take care of home court. It will be a big game [Saturday]. We’re looking forward to getting back out there and redeeming ourselves after last game.”
But getting back into the rhythm that Miami showed in Game 1 will be easier said than done. Even without Antetokounmpo in Game 2, the Bucks still dominated the Heat with their size. Bobby Portis had 13 points and 15 rebounds, while Brook Lopez had 25 points and four boards.
Forward Kevin Love played 11 minutes in the Game 2 loss, and when asked whether he could be reinserted into the starting lineup for his size in Game 3, he said that could depend on whether Antetokounmpo plays.
“I know a lot is going to be dependent on if Giannis is playing,” forward Kevin Love said. “I know that in terms of matchups, we’re probably going to throw a few different looks at them. We need the size, we need the rebounding, but we still need to be able to pack the paint and be able to get out to the three-point shooters.”
With Antetokounmpo’s status for Game 3 still undetermined, the Heat have to prepare for either eventuality.
“This is the playoffs,” Spoelstra said. “You’ve got to be able to figure things out and you can always — in the playoffs — expect the unexpected.”
Miami is dealing with a difficult injury of Its own. Without guard Tyler Herro, who is sidelined with a broken hand, the Heat gave Duncan Robinson his second start of the season. The Bucks held him scoreless through the first three quarters, though Robinson ultimately ended the game with 14 points, five rebounds and three assists.
“Definitely can take a lot away from that one,” Robinson said. “Then come back here and protect home court for us.”
Coming off the brutal Game 2 loss, the Heat need a strong recovery in the series’ first game in South Florida. Spoelstra thinks this group is resilient enough to rebound from Wednesday’s blowout.
“We know that a series doesn’t start — as Pat [Riley] has always said — until the road team wins,” Spoelstra said. “We were able to get one of those wins, but they’re probably thinking the same thing, how they can take back control of the series. So it’s all about control. But it starts with [Saturday] night for us. We want to put together a much better effort and game than we did in Game 2.”
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