Bucks Superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo Poised To Return For Game 4 Against The Miami Heat
The Milwaukee Bucks were dealt a serious blow in the first game of their first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat. Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-time NBA MVP, suffered a lower back injury in the second quarter of the game, forcing him to leave the court and head to the locker room. The Bucks went on to lose that game at home, however, Miami wasn't unscathed either as Tyler Herro suffered a broken hand that will prevent him from suiting up for the rest of the series.
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But now, the Bucks have received some good news. After splitting the last two games with the Heat without their star player, Giannis is set to return for the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 4 of the series. This is a huge boost for Milwaukee, as they look to avoid being upset by the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.
Antetokounmpo had been slowly working his way back from the injury, doing individual work at Kaseya Center with Bucks coaches Sunday prior to his team’s video session. “He always wants to make himself available. He does everything to make himself available,” coach Mike Budenholzer said.
Giannis is one of the best players in the league, and he has been instrumental to the Bucks' success over the past few seasons. He is a dominant force on both ends of the court, and his presence alone can change the complexion of a game. His ability to score, rebound, and play defense at an elite level makes him a game-changer, and the Bucks will be thrilled to have him back on the court.
Of course, there are still some questions surrounding Giannis' health. While he has been cleared to play, there is always the risk of aggravating the injury or suffering a new one. The Bucks will need to be cautious with their star player, and they will need to monitor his minutes and workload carefully.
But even with those concerns, the return of Giannis is a massive boost for Milwaukee. The team has struggled in his absence, and they have looked out of sorts on both ends of the court. With Giannis back in the lineup, the Bucks should be able to play with more confidence and energy, and they should be able to compete at a higher level. After tying the series up in Game 2, Milwaukee was absolutely dismantled on Saturday, losing 121-99 after allowing Jimmy Butler to drop 30 points on 12-of-19 shooting, including 4-of-4 from beyond the arc. Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday combined for 42 points but it simply wasn't enough firepower.
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The Heat, of course, will not make it easy for Giannis and the Bucks. They have been playing excellent basketball in this series, but they have not been able to contain Milwaukee's other star player, Khris Middleton. Miami's defense has been suffocating but Middleton is averaging 24.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game. Meanwhile, Holiday is averaging 19.7 points, 10.0 assists, and 5.7 boards per outing through the first three games of this series. Now, obviously, their numbers will see a downtick once the best player in the NBA returns to the lineup but it's encouraging for Milwaukee that Miami will have a tough time containing all three of the Bucks' go-to options on offense.
With Giannis back in the lineup, the Bucks will have a new weapon to use against Miami's defense. He can create his own shot and draw defenders away from his teammates, creating more space for them to operate. And on the defensive end, he can use his size and athleticism to disrupt Miami's offensive flow and protect the rim. Something tells me Jimmy Buckets won't continue to average 30 points per game with Antetokounmpo playing stifling defense.
The return of Giannis Antetokounmpo for Game 4 of the Bucks-Heat series is a welcome sight for Milwaukee fans. Game 4 is a must-win for Milwaukee as 95% of teams who go up 3-1 eventually win the series. If Milwaukee can win Game 4 on the road, they will have a ton of momentum heading into a pivotal Game 5 on their home court. While there are still some concerns about Antetokounmpo's health, his presence alone should give the team a boost and help them compete at a higher level. It remains to be seen whether the Bucks can come back from a 2-1 deficit, but with Giannis back on the court, they certainly have a better chance. Miami is a heavier underdog with Giannis back in the starting lineup. The Bucks are currently seven-point favorites heading into Game 4 tonight at 7:30 PM EST.
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