3 Milwaukee Bucks who need more minutes in Game 2 vs. Heat

Pat Connaughton needs more minutes for the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 2

Connaughton getting more minutes is the most controversial out of the three. Connaughton had a terrible regular season for the Bucks, so it’s understandable why he didn’t see any action in Game 1.

Connaughton’s defense is why he should play more like Crowder and Matthews. Not to say Grayson Allen needs to be exiled from the Bucks rotation or even from the starting lineup, but some of those minutes should be split with Connaughton.

Allen has been good on offense for Milwaukee and was even good in Game 1 on that end, but when he’s in the game on defense, the other team might as well start a conga line toward the basket. While not an excellent defender, Connaughton is at least not a complete liability when he’s out there.

An additional case can be made to see Connaughton more when you look at how he has performed throughout the last two postseasons. After disappointing in the bubble in 2020, Connaughton was a massive part of what drove the team’s championship run in 2021, as he had a tremendous series in the NBA Finals that year.

He followed it up with another excellent playoff performance last season. Even though the Bucks as a team did not shoot well for most of the series against Boston, Connaughton was the lone bright spot from beyond the arc, shooting 42.4 percent from three in the series.

Although not great this regular season, Connaughton has earned the right to be trusted based on his previous postseason success. He may not be an X-factor in the Bucks winning or losing the series, but he’ll give them a needed spark if he replicates his previous two postseason performances.

The Bucks have an opportunity to bounce back in Game 2 on Wednesday. Stay tuned for Bucks news and analysis throughout the team’s playoff run.