After their game Wednesday was postponed due to a winter storm in New Orleans, the Milwaukee Bucks hope to return to the court on Thursday night against the visiting Miami Heat.
The Athletic reported the Bucks were unable to travel to Milwaukee on Wednesday night. The team hopes to fly back early enough on Thursday to face Miami.
The Heat already are in Milwaukee after they dropped their fourth decision in five games, a 116-107 setback at home to the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night.
However, the Heat will be without Jimmy Butler, whom they’ve suspended for a second time, this time for two games. Per a team statement. Butler was suspended for two games for “continued pattern of disregard of team rules, insubordinate conduct and conduct detrimental to the team, including missing today’s team flight to Milwaukee.”
Duncan Robinson led Miami with 22 points while Kel’el Ware had 20 points to go with 15 rebounds. Butler played and collected 13 points with eight assists.
The Heat, however, did not force a turnover in the first half, to the chagrin of coach Erik Spoelstra.
“We mentioned that at halftime — we didn’t force one turnover, they had zero turnovers, a ton of drives, in transition, just attacking the half court versus our man or zone,” Spoelstra said. “We’re at our best when we’re disruptive. Again, you don’t need analytics to know when we’re at our best. You can see it, you can feel it, you get inspired by it. And through three quarters, that wasn’t it.”
Spolestra declined to comment specifically on Butler’s effort.
Milwaukee has not played since Sunday, when it concluded a perfect four-game homestand with a 123-109 victory against Philadelphia.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way again on Sunday with 34 points and 15 rebounds for the Bucks, who have won seven of their last eight games.
“I’m happy we’re playing great team ball, competing defensively, play at a good pace,” Antetokounmpo said regarding the team’s play since their 2-8 start. “Overall, we’ve been getting better, guys are playing great, making shots, helping one another. We’ve got to keep on improving.”
Antetokounmpo leads Milwaukee with averages of 31.5 points and 12 rebounds per contest. Damian Lillard averages a team-best 7.1 assists and Brook Lopez is contributing 1.9 blocks per game.
Tyler Herro averages 24 points and 5 assists per game for Miami. Bam Adebayo leads down low with 9.7 rebounds per game.
Outside of Butler, Herro (groin) is probable to play on Thursday for the Heat. They will be without Josh Richardson (heel), and Keshad Johnson (shoulder) is questionable. Dru Smith (Achilles) is out for the season.
AJ Green (groin) is listed as day-to-day for Milwaukee but was not going to play Wednesday night. Khris Middleton (ankles) and MarJon Beauchamp (illness) were listed as probable for Wednesday.
Miami and Milwaukee have faced off once this season, with the Bucks winning 106-103 on the road on Nov. 26.
Without Antetokounmpo, Lillard starred by making 8 of 13 attempts from 3-point range to highlight his 37-point, 12-assist performance. Butler led Miami with 23 points while Herro had 18.
–Field Level Media
