Milwaukee Bucks: How the Big 3 has performed against top contenders

The NBA has evolved into a league of trios this season and the Milwaukee Bucks are among the premier contendings that have put one together.

Of course, Milwaukee already had Khris Middleton locked in after signing a max deal, but they fortified their future further when they inked Giannis Antetokounmpo to a supermax extension in the offseason. Several months after they traded for him, the Bucks also handed starting guard Jrue Holiday a maximum extension to stay put in Milwaukee.

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Locking these three in has certainly been an expensive price to pay, but one that will be worth it if they can bring a title back to the city for the first time in over five decades.

That title run starts with the upcoming postseason, where it looks like the Bucks will face a challenging road through the Eastern Conference and to the NBA Finals as they look to avenge their defeats in each of the last two playoffs.

Still, if the Bucks will get there, it will be because of their leading trio of stars. With that, let us look at how each member has performed against the contenders in the conference this year, including some potential first round matchups.

How did the Milwaukee Bucks’ trio play against the Miami Heat?

Playing in games four and five this season, the Bucks squared off against the Miami Heat fairly early in the process of forming chemistry with the roster. They split the miniseries at one game apiece which was highlighted by some strong play from their leading trio.

Surprisingly, Jrue Holiday has paved the way for the Bucks in those two games by averaging 18.5 points while shooting 43.5 percent from the field, including an impressive 52.9 percent from deep. He has stepped up tremendously with his scoring and his playmaking by dishing out a combined 12 assists in those contests. As it always is, Holiday’s defense has also been a highlight in those games, logging five steals and two blocks.

Giannis Antetokounmpo has scored far less than his season average by putting up 17.5 points per contest on 48.1 percent shooting from the floor. Miami’s starting center Bam Adebayo has always been a tough matchup for Antetokounmpo, which forced him to get his teammate involved in the action by logging 16 assists. Lastly, Khris Middleton has averaged 16.5 points on an efficient 46.4 percent shooting from the floor, including 44.4 percent from behind the arc.

Much has changed with these two since those first two matchups, including the construction of their respective rosters. The Bucks have gone on to add rotational pieces like P.J. Tucker and Jeff Teague. In contrast, the Heat have brought in former All-Star guard Victor Oladipo, Trevor Ariza, and Nemanja Bjelica to fortify their title chances.

With new additions on both sides, Milwaukee’s upcoming May 15 matchup against Miami will be compelling, particularly as it remains possible to meet up in the first round of the playoffs. The Heat have given the Bucks trouble in the past and the first two games show some rigid play from the leading trio.