Milwaukee Bucks: 3 matchups that will be pivotal against Miami Heat
By Dalton Sell
Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday will have to slow down Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Butler did not play in any of the three meetings between the Bucks and the Heat this season, but everyone that watched that series last year knows what he brings to the table.
Butler was nothing short of phenomenal in last year’s playoffs by averaging 23.4 points while shooting 53.2 percent from the floor and 45.5 percent from behind the arc against the Bucks. The five-time All-Star had caught fire against Milwaukee’s lackluster defensive efforts, to which they had no answer whatsoever in slowing him down.
This time around, they have a player named Jrue Holiday that they believe can guard anyone in this league at the highest level. The two-time All-Defensive honoree has earned praise from the biggest stars in today’s NBA for his top-notch efforts on the defensive end, and having him will be a massive upgrade over what the Bucks rolled out last year.
The Bucks traded for Holiday because they knew he could guard the opposing team’s best player on a nightly basis, meaning all eyes will be on these two in this matchup. Butler will be a demanding opponent for Holiday right from the start of the playoffs, but he has the necessary tools to slow him down. If the guard can indeed keep Miami’s best play in check to a reasonable extent, it would be a massive boost for Milwaukee’s chances of coming out on top.