The Miami Heat have beaten the short-handed Milwaukee Bucks in an entertaining game five contest to advance to the Eastern Conference finals. The Giannis Antetokounmpo-less Bucks were always chasing the game, and some clutch Heat defence and free throw shooting down the stretch secured them the 4-1 series win.
Jimmy Butler and Goran Dragic continued their two-man excellence in game five. Butler was stifling on defence, and had a double-double to lead his team in scoring (17 pts). Dragic had 16, whilst Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro were also impressive.
For the Bucks, Khris Middleton had 23, and Donte DiVincenzo poured in 17 points after earning the start in Antetokounmpo’s absence.
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 9, 2020
The Heat will now go to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in six years, and they have a prime opportunity to beat one of Boston or Toronto, who are currently in the middle of their series.
The loss thrusts the Bucks future firmly into the ‘here and now’ headlights.
For the second straight season, they have failed to make it out of the Eastern Conference, despite having the best record during the regular season.
This year, not only did they have the best regular season record, but they also had the quantifiably best defence and offence in the entire association. This second straight failure will undoubtedly disappoint their fans and those in the front office.
On a day where the OKC Thunder essentially announced they were blowing things up and starting again, the question must be posed of whether or not Milwaukee may be about to set off on a similar journey.