Milwaukee Bucks Game Preview: February 9 at Miami Heat
By Adam McGee
Heat to watch – Wayne Ellington
Expanding upon the idea that Miami’s shooting could be a determining factor in this latest matchup with Milwaukee, the Heat may live and die by what version of Wayne Ellington shows up on Friday.
Ellington missed the Heat’s last game against the Houston Rockets with a shoulder injury, and it’s very possible that may have contributed to his recent slump.
The 30-year-old has made just 20 percent of his triples during the Heat’s five-game losing streak, but has been one of the NBA’s very best shooters for the season overall. On a sky-high 7.6 three-point attempts per game, Ellington is shooting 39 percent for the season in its entirety.
Joe Prunty has pointed to Milwaukee’s recent defensive improvements as being a result of preventing opponents from scoring both at the rim and behind the three-point line with any great ease, but Whiteside should allow Miami some success inside in this matchup, meaning the Heat getting hot from deep could well be a deciding factor in the game.