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GAME DAY PREVIEW AND INJURY REPORT: The Milwaukee Bucks face the Miami Heat in a crucial In-Season Tournament game

The Bucks stake their unbeaten In-Season Tournament record against the Miami Heat.
© Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

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After a massive come-from-behind win on Sunday, the Milwaukee Bucks hit the road to seek a crucial In-Season Tournament win against the Miami Heat on Tuesday night.

The Bucks will try to end the group play with a perfect slate, as they currently lead the East Group B standings with a 3-0 record. The Heat hold a 2-1 record in the same group.

The two squads are meeting for the second time this season, with the Bucks prevailing in their first encounter on October 30th, winning 122-114.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 33 points, and Damian Lillard had 23 in the victory that served as some revenge for the Bucks after they suffered a stunning first-round playoff loss to the Heat in the previous season.

Starting to get hot again

After their season-high five-game win streak got snapped, Milwaukee bounced back with two straight wins. The last one saw them battle back from 26 points down to beat the Portland Trail Blazers 108-102.

It was the largest comeback of the season and Milwaukee's biggest come-from-behind win in more than a decade.

Antetokounmpo and Lillard have been dealing heavy damage to opposing teams as they scored at least 30 points each in those two straight wins by the Bucks.

With 12 wins and five losses, the Bucks are in the upper part of the Eastern Conference standings. The Heat are at the middle of the pack with a 10-7 record.

Milwaukee is currently 4-4 on the road, while Miami has won four of its first five games at home. The Heat have won their last three games at home.

The team from South Beach is on a two-game slide after losing to the New York Knicks 100-98 and then to the Brooklyn Nets 112-97.

Injury report

Khris Middleton (Achilles) is questionable against the Heat, while Jae Crowder (left adductor surgery) is out.

Duncan Robinson (thumb) and Bam Adebayo (hip) are listed as probable for the Heat, while Haywood Highsmith (back) and Jimmy Butler (ankle) are listed as questionable.

Tyler Herro (ankle), Dru Smith (knee), and R.J. Hampton are out for the Heat.

Adrian Griffin says the Milwaukee Bucks are gunning for the In-Season Tournament trophy


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Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.