3 things to watch for as Milwaukee Bucks host P.J. Tucker, Miami Heat

Can Khris Middleton build off of a strong second-half last game for the Milwaukee Bucks?

It has been a bit of a roller coaster for Khris Middleton since returning after testing positive for COVID-19 and he hasn’t looked like himself overall. His game against the Toronto Raptors was sort of a microcosm of his return to this point.

He struggled to find his shot, going 2-of-9 and turning it over three times. He was finding it hard to deal with the Raptors’ length and aggressiveness on defense. Suddenly, like classic Middleton, he found his rhythm on his jumper in the second half and score 18 points to help get the Bucks back into it and keep things close late in the game.

I wrote after the game that his second half was hopefully a sign of things to come for the multi-time All-Star and he could have a great opportunity against a weakened Heat team. Not only are they missing a potential Middleton-defender in Butler and their rim protector in Adebayo, but they’re coming off of a game last night.

Middleton should find it easier going against Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson on the defensive end, which could in turn help his jumper by getting easier looks. He made some vintage tough jumpers over the Raptors defenders in the second half, so ideally he gets some easier looks tonight.

He shot 4-of-14 in their first meeting against the Heat along with four turnovers in around 23 and a half minutes. He’ll likely get a combination of Tucker and Kyle Lowry guarding him but will attempt to get switches onto Herro and Robinson if possible.

A big Middleton game will be needed even more if Antetokounmpo misses this one.