Milwaukee Bucks: Ranking 3 biggest rivals for the 2021-22 NBA season
By Dalton Sell
Rival No. 2 for the Milwaukee Bucks for 2021-22 season — Miami Heat
On the complete opposite end of the spectrum from the 76ers, the recent rivalry between the Bucks and Miami Heat stems from the postseason.
The Heat eliminated the league-best Bucks during the second round of the playoffs in the NBA bubble, sending them home with an embarrassing 4-1 defeat. It was undeniably a brutal loss for Milwaukee, who spent the offseason retooling. As the playoffs crept up the following season, the Bucks made it abundantly clear that they wanted a rematch with the Heat in round one of the 2021 playoffs, and their wish was granted. It was an entirely different result this time around as the Bucks steamrolled the Heat with a clean sweep.
A third playoff matchup between these two teams seems inevitable heading into the 2021-22 season. The Heat spent the offseason revamping their roster by adding Kyle Lowry and stealing P.J. Tucker away from the Bucks. It certainly hurts seeing Tucker leave after how crucial he proved to be more Milwaukee during the title run, but watching him sign with one of their top rivals in the conference only rubs more salt in the wound. Miami has geared up to make a genuine run back to the NBA Finals next season, and they will likely meet with Milwaukee at some point down the line.
With each team throwing haymakers at one another over the past two seasons, a possible third installment would be fascinating to see. The Heat will be among the teams challenging the Bucks for the best team in the East next season, and time will tell if the collision course the two teams seem to be on ultimately comes to fruition.