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Milwaukee Bucks: Jrue Holiday has been the MVP vs Heat

By Jake Weinbach

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 27: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat dribbles up the court defended by Jrue Holiday #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the first quarter in Game Three of the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series at American Airlines Arena on May 27, 2021 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 27: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat dribbles up the court defended by Jrue Holiday #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the first quarter in Game Three of the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series at American Airlines Arena on May 27, 2021 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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The Milwaukee Bucks are off to an exceptional start to the 2021 NBA Playoffs after steamrolling the Miami Heat 113-84 in Game 3 to take a commanding 3-0 series lead. As the Bucks are on the verge of sweet revenge and advancing to the second round, Jrue Holiday has been the most impactful difference-maker throughout the series.

On Thursday night, Holiday helped ignite another Milwaukee blowout by producing 19 points, 12 assists, and a team-high plus/minus of plus-41, which was the highest plus/minus by a Bucks player in a playoff game since 1997, per StatMuse.

Milwaukee led by as many as 32 points and dominated all aspects of the stat sheet. As a team, they shot 48.3 percent from the field, 36.1 percent from beyond the arc, outrebounded Miami 56-41, and their much improved, more versatile defense was absolutely terrific. The Bucks allowed just 14 points through the first quarter and held them to 36 points at halftime.

The 29-point thrashing in South Beach was the worst home playoff loss for the Heat in franchise history, per ESPN Stats & Info. They’ve been outscored by 63 points over the last two games, their worst differential in any two-game span in postseason history.

While the Milwaukee Bucks have taken a commanding 3-0 series lead over the Miami Heat, Jrue Holiday has been the MVP throughout this first-round matchup.

Evidently, the Milwaukee Bucks have been embarrassing the Heat on both ends of the floor lately, and Jrue Holiday has been a major factor why. The two-way stud continues to disrupt Miami with his high-end instincts, elite awareness, substantial strength, playmaking abilities, comfortable poise, and much more to say the least.

He’s been beyond expectations since the Bucks acquired him from New Orleans in the offseason and has served as an obvious upgrade over former point guard Eric Bledsoe. Holiday has taken the Bucks to another level in the postseason, both offensively and defensively, with all the opportunities that he creates and the threat that his presence brings to the flow of games.

It’s safe to say that the Miami Heat have learned that the hard way. After dismantling Milwaukee in the bubble during last season’s playoffs, the Heat have had no answer for limiting the Bucks’ new prized addition this time around.

Jrue Holiday has made life tough for guys like Goran Dragic, Tyler Herro, and Jimmy Butler to get into some type of rhythm offensively, and those were all key players that helped propel the Heat past the Bucks last year. His presence continues to cause discomfort within Miami’s motion offense.

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Holiday has mostly been known for his undervalued defensive impact and has been highly regarded as one of the best on-ball defenders around the league, but his offense has also been spectacular throughout this series. Through three games, Jrue is averaging 16.7 points and 10.0 assists per game. He’s nearly averaging a triple-double with 7.0 rebounds as well.

“Jrue’s the most underrated player in the NBA by far,” P.J. Tucker stated following the Game 3 beat-down. “People don’t understand how good he is. I didn’t understand what he was until I played with him. He gets it, and he is the quietest dog you’ve ever played with in your life.”

The Bucks understand how much value that Holiday has brought to their championship-contending team, and the numbers speak for themselves to begin this postseason run. He’s currently a remarkable plus-88 against the Heat in this series, the best plus/minus from a Buck by far. The next best would be Khris Middleton at a plus-54.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is the reigning back-to-back MVP of the league and the undisputed MVP of this Bucks team, but Jrue Holiday has been the MVP throughout this first-round series matchup. If Jrue continues to play at this consistent, superior level, Milwaukee could wrap up and sweep the Heat as soon as Saturday and make a serious statement to the rest of the league that this is a legitimate team that’s championship-worthy.

With the addition of Jrue Holiday proving to exert massive value in these NBA Playoffs, it’s time to Fear the Deer and recognize how essential the All-Defensive guard is when it matters most. The Milwaukee Bucks are in good hands with Holiday locked in and ready to shine on the biggest stage.

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