3 Milwaukee Bucks who rose to the occasion in Game 2 vs. Miami Heat
By Corey Moen
2 – Brook Lopez
After only taking seven shots in Game 1, Milwaukee, in Game 2, made it a point to give Brook Lopez the ball against favorable matchups.
I would say the strategy worked as Lopez led the Bucks with 25 points on 12-of-17 shooting.
Miami loves to switch coverages defensively, which left Max Strus (6-foot-5) having to guard Lopez (7-foot), and Milwaukee often exploited that matchup.
Before reinventing himself as a 3-point shooter, Lopez, during his time as a Brooklyn Net, was a lethal low-post player and that’s what he showed off in Game 2.
In Game 1, Milwaukee didn’t do a good job of involving Lopez enough offensively because they were playing catchup the whole game and didn’t get a chance to get Lopez involved. Game 2 was a different story as he was able to make more of an impact on the game.
Lopez only took one three on Wednesday and missed, so most of his damage was done in the paint against the undersized Miami Heat.
As you look forward to Game 3 on Saturday, Miami has been inclined to put Max Strus on Lopez in the post. If that is still the case, expect Milwaukee to continue to take advantage of that matchup.