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GAME DAY PREVIEW AND INJURY REPORT: The Milwaukee Bucks play the Miami Heat to a cap a four-game homestand
After scoring a big win over the defending champions, the Denver Nuggets, the Milwaukee Bucks will try to sustain the momentum when they cap their four-game homestand against the Miami Heat on Tuesday night.
The Bucks are playing their second game in two nights as they are coming off a big 112-95 win over the Nuggets on Monday night. With the dominant win over the Nuggets, the Bucks started their first winning streak under coach Doc Rivers.
Playing harder on defense
Milwaukee improved to 3-5 under Rivers after winning two of their last three games that are part of the current four-game homestand. The Bucks are currently third in the Eastern Conference with a 35-19 record.
Rivers has been preaching defense since he took over, and the Bucks have responded well. The victory over the Nuggets marked the second straight game that the Bucks held their opponents under the century mark. Milwaukee posted a 120-84 win over the Charlotte Hornets before scoring an equally impressive win against the Nuggets. In Milwaukee’s five losses under Rivers, the Bucks gave up an average of 119.6 points per game.
The Bucks are 2-0 in their three-game regular-season series with the Heat. Milwaukee defeated Miami in their first meeting on October 30th, 122-114, then won again on November 28th, 131-124.
Miami, which is coming off a 110-106 loss to the Boston Celtics, is currently eighth in the East with a 28-25 record.
Injury report
Khris Middleton will miss another game for the Bucks due to a sprained ankle.
Jimmy Butler (personal), Terry Rozier (knee), Dru Smith (knee), and Jason Richardson (shoulder) will be out for the Heat. Duncan Robinson (shoulder/elbow) is listed as questionable.
