Milwaukee Bucks Game Preview: Jan. 21 at Miami Heat

Nov 17, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward John Henson (31) dunks the ball past Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 17, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward John Henson (31) dunks the ball past Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Dec 20, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) points over to the Orlando Magic bench during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Magic defeated the Heat in a double overtime 136-130. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) points over to the Orlando Magic bench during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Magic defeated the Heat in a double overtime 136-130. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Player To Watch: Hassan Whiteside

Not too much has changed in Miami–Hassan Whiteside and Goran Dragic are still weapons 1a and 1b for the Heat. Miami may not be that good, but this team is frisky. They beat the Houston Rockets recently, and are riding a two-game winning streak after beating the Dallas Mavericks a few days ago.

A lot of that comes from Whiteside and Dragic, who both put up 19 points on the Bucks the last time these teams played. If not for the massive first quarter Milwaukee enjoyed, that game might’ve gone a lot differently.

Miami needs Whiteside to be a force down low from the beginning of the first quarter to the end of the fourth. He’s a fearsome rebounder and shot-blocker, and he’s got more to give on offense than a lot of people realize.

If Whiteside can have a really big night–something like 20 points, 15 rebounds and a few blocks–the Heat should have a chance to win. He should be scoring in bunches when matched up with Henson, unless Hook starts playing a more physical style of defense than he has been recently.