Milwaukee Bucks Game Preview: Jan. 21 at Miami Heat
By Ti Windisch
Major Key For Milwaukee: Play Big
Last time the Miami Heat played the Bucks, Hassan Whiteside often was able to get great post position before even getting the ball. That means all he has to do is maneuver slightly to get a pretty good shot up on the slighter John Henson.
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Whiteside ended that game with 19 points and nine rebounds, while Henson managed just two points and five rebounds. Greg Monroe did some damage to the Heat, but Whiteside was the one keeping Miami in the game late with his tough play.
This has been a pattern for the Bucks, and the best example might be Joel Embiid lighting Milwaukee on fire over and over again when the Philadelphia 76ers came to town. Embiid dropped 22 points and 12 rebounds in just under 28 minutes. Henson had eight points and five rebounds in 25 minutes.
The Bucks can’t keep allowing opposing big men to walk all over them. Post scoring typically isn’t efficient, but it is if the defense has no answer to stop it! Giannis Antetokounmpo has been good at rim protection this season, but he can’t abandon his man to double every big center down low.
Milwaukee needs to play a more physical brand of basketball, especially at the center position. Henson and Monroe and even Miles Plumlee have to offer more resistance down there. Draymond Green is like 6’6″, but he’s big and physical and he defends centers. There’s no reason the three guys the Bucks pay a combined $42 million can’t do the same.