Milwaukee Bucks: 3 takeaways from 144-97 win over Miami Heat

Takeaway no. 2 – Turning up the defensive intensity

Long before the Bucks wound up breaking NBA records, the Bucks showed off their defensive vigor that had first set the tone for the night to come.

By ramping up their defensive pressure on the ball, all of which Jrue Holiday sublimely showed the most, the Bucks made life miserable for the Heat, who were without their All-NBA-caliber wing and leading initiator, Jimmy Butler.

The end result was the Heat turning over the ball 22 times on the night and the Bucks promptly capitalized by scoring 31 points off of the Heat’s miscues. Miami’s 21.4 turnover percentage tied the second-highest mark of the Bucks-Budenholzer era, which is notable as the Bucks don’t normally force turnovers.

While the Bucks didn’t take care of the ball that much better with 17 miscues, Milwaukee’s hot shooting proved to be quite the difference maker as the game unfolded. And that improved intensity and focus on the defensive end will be key to living up to the defensive standard Milwaukee has set over the last couple of seasons.