3 things to watch for as Milwaukee Bucks host P.J. Tucker, Miami Heat
After having their eight-game win streak snapped on Thursday, the Milwaukee Bucks return home to host the Miami Heat. It is the second meeting between the Eastern Conference rivals this season after the Heat boat raced the Bucks 137-95 in Miami.
That was the Bucks’ first loss of the season and came without Jrue Holiday, Brook Lopez, and Bobby Portis among others. Two of those three will likely play in this one (although you can never be too sure with the Bucks injury designations) while the Heat will be the team that’s playing shorthanded tonight.
Bam Adebayo is out for multiple weeks after he had surgery on his thumb to repair torn ligaments and Jimmy Butler has missed their last three games with a tailbone injury. It’s the second night of a back-to-back for the Heat so they may also rest key veterans like Kyle Lowry as they’re already shorthanded (Markieff Morris also remains out with whiplash).
Milwaukee may be without Giannis Antetokounmpo for the third time this season as he has been listed as doubtful with calf soreness, which held him out of Thursday’s game.
Regardless, the Bucks will be welcoming back an old friend and it will certainly be one worth watching, as most games between these two teams are.
P.J. Tucker makes his much-anticipated return to Fiserv Forum against the Milwaukee Bucks
Although they’ve already seen Tucker once this season, it will be the first time the fan-favorite will return to Fiserv Forum since winning the NBA championship back in July.
It should be an emotional pre-game ceremony for both Tucker and the fans in attendance when he receives his championship ring. Tucker spoke with Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal about how much the city of Milwaukee means to him and, more importantly, the fans.
"“I’ll always love Milwaukee,” he said. “I’ll love the people of Milwaukee forever. They embraced me so much from day one when I first got there to the day I left; they were always there, they always had my back.”"
I highly recommend reading Owczarski’s full piece as Tucker delves into what it was like after the parade, how the fans treated him from day one of his time with the Bucks and more.
Tucker was more than just an on-court defensive presence for the Bucks as he helped coin the “We Dogs” moniker that stuck throughout the championship run and was an emotional leader for the team. He’s moved on and having a great season for the Heat, but it was nice to see how much he still admires the Bucks fanbase.
The fans will welcome Tucker back with open arms and, if seeing him on the video board during a montage at the championship ceremony is any indication, it will be a raucous atmosphere for the 36-year-old and, perhaps, a few tears will be shed!