Milwaukee Bucks: 3 players whose playing time could regress versus Heat

Pat Connaughton could see his minutes regress for the Milwaukee Bucks against the Heat

Logging 22.8 minutes per game, Pat Connaughton has gotten more burn on average than any other reserve for the Bucks this season.

To his credit, he just capped off arguably the best season of his career with career-high numbers in several statistical categories, including total points, 3-pointers, rebounds, and steals. Despite how stellar he has played this season, Connaughton could see his minutes favor towards Bryn Forbes against the Heat.

That certainly would not be a knock on Connaughton, but just speaking to the fact that Forbes has been fantastic against Miami this season by averaging 14 points on 69.6 percent shooting and an impressive 57.1 percent from behind the arc. Considering Milwaukee’s stagnant shooting was among the most prominent factors that led to their defeat against the Heat last season, having a player like Forbes on the floor with the fourth-highest 3-point percentage in the league will be pivotal.

Budenholzer will have to pick and choose how to dish out minutes between these two guards against the Heat, and Forbes’ shooting could be the deciding factor. However, that does not mean Connaughton will be cut from the rotation entirely. He will undoubtedly see time on the floor all across this series, particularly if these games go down to the wire, as he has been extremely clutch in those late-game scenarios this year.

Although Connaughton is having a career year shooting the long ball, Forbes has proven to be one of the most dynamic shooters across the league. Having a reliable threat on the perimeter like that will be crucial when the Heat try to wall off Giannis Antetokounmpo from entering the paint.