Milwaukee Bucks: Takeaways from 105-89 loss to Miami Heat

Khris’ rough return

After missing the last two Bucks games with neck soreness, Bucks All-Star swingman Khris Middleton made his return to action Monday night.

It looked as if Middleton was primed to return to the form he was playing at before his two-game absence as he reached double figures by the 2:23 mark in the first quarter. However, Middleton’s play quickly turned south as he was noticeably out of rhythm when attempting routine looks from his favorite spots on the floor. Certainly, Middleton’s 3-point woes were indicative of that, but the same applied to his looks from mid-range.

Only few people like Middleton, Budenholzer and the Bucks’ medical staff know just how much the two-time All-Star’s neck injury bothered him and led to him playing below his capabilities. And the Heat’s engaged defense didn’t help matters as they generally threw the Bucks off their rhythm as was previously discussed.

All in all, Middleton posted 12 points on 4-of-16 shooting from the field (2-for-10 from 3-point range), seven rebounds, one steal, one turnover and was a -14 in 27 and a half minutes of run.

The Bucks will look to exact their revenge on the Indiana Pacers when they host their central division rival Wednesday evening for a 6pm CT tip off at Fiserv Forum.