Major Key For Miami: Go Inside
As detailed in the major key for the Bucks segment, Milwaukee has failed to offer much resistance to teams trying to score inside lately. That means Whiteside will be very important in this game, but Miami could make their team philosophy to go inside.
That does two important things. First, it puts pressure on Henson/Monroe/Plumlee, none of whom have been very stout rim protectors this year. Second, it has the benefit of helping to draw fouls on the Bucks.
Getting in the bonus and getting more foul shots is a good reward by itself, but getting Giannis in foul trouble is the best thing a team playing the Bucks can do. There’s no real way to stop the Greek Freak at this point…aside from letting him stop himself.
Giannis just can’t help himself–he has to try to block or at least contest any shot he’s close to. That often leads to his long arms making a bit more contact then they should, which in turn often leads to whistles being blown. Giannis has fouled out of two of the Bucks last three games, and been in foul trouble for meaningful stretches of those contests.
If something similar happens in Miami on Saturday, it will be a lot easier for the Heat to come away with a victory. The Bucks need their Greek Freak around to break this ugly losing streak.