Milwaukee Bucks: 3 things to watch for in Game 3 versus Miami Heat

Tensions potentially flaring between the Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat

Amidst the Bucks’ 34-point blowout victory Monday, things got chippy on multiple occasions throughout Game 2 between Milwaukee on Miami.

Tension began rising in the third quarter when Miami’s Trevor Ariza aggressively wrapped up Giannis Antetokounmpo on a fast break opportunity and the two went tumbling to the ground. Ariza put some emphasis on helping himself up by pushing down on Antetokounmpo’s chest and waist, which naturally resulted in a technical foul soon after reviewing. Kendrick Nunn picked up a flagrant himself just minutes later while trying to contest Khris Middleton’s triple, which resulted in three free throws for the forward.

Antetokounmpo found himself in the loop once again after getting tangled up with Miami’s Nemanja Bjelica, which sent him stumbling to the floor. Big man Bobby Portis came to assist the two-time MVP by trying to keeping Bjelica away, which he took exception to as the two exchanged heated words. Portis was eventually assessed a technical foul.

That same tension between these two teams will unquestionably be on display in this Game 3 matchup with both teams looking to make a statement.

Toughness in these situations is something that the Bucks have lacked in the past, but Portis is a prime example that they finally have some players that can help turn up the intensity. Another is veteran forward P.J. Tucker, who specifically mentioned the physicality that would be crucial in this series and how the Bucks could handle it. Via the team’s YouTube page:

"“It’s going to come down to who’s going to bang. Who’s going to get in there and get physical, fight through screens, be able to redirect screens, be able to stop guys from getting offensive rebounds. It’s going to be the stuff that doesn’t show up on stat sheets that wins this series. That’s what we have to focus on.”"

That physicality has been on display throughout these first two games and will continue to show itself as the series shifts south. The Bucks are winning that battle to this point and they will need to keep up those relentless efforts.

Game 3 between the Bucks and the Heat will tip off at 6:30 p.m. CST at American Airlines Arena and you can catch the action on TNT where it will be nationally televised or on Bally Sports Wisconsin for those living locally.