In spite of the Milwaukee Bucks’ successful regular season, they struggled in the playoffs and couldn’t find success in the second round against Miami.
Both the Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat were two favorites heading into the postseason. Especially the Bucks because they carried the coveted accomplishment of having the NBA’s best record. Before Game 1 was even played, there seemed to be a lot of similarities between the Bucks and Heat.
They were both in the Eastern Conference. They each had their share of superstars: Giannis Antetokounmpo for the Bucks and Jimmy Butler for the Heat. They both had reliable coaches whom they liked and admired and played well under in Mike Budenholzer and Erik Spoelstra. Most importantly, they both were in the playoffs.
There were differences also, though. The Bucks weren’t just seeded in the playoffs as the Heat were at No. 4. The Bucks had the best record in the league. The expectations for the Bucks and Heat were separate. For the Heat, to make the playoffs and make a run. For the Bucks, it was to win a championship and the pressure was on.
What went wrong for the Bucks, though, was whenever they fell apart whenever they faced the Heat. Milwaukee lost both meetings with Miami in the pre-bubble regular season. This carried over into the playoffs, and Miami ended up victorious 4-1. The Bucks lost last year also to Toronto 4-2. There was no explanation to analysts and sports fans for why the number one team couldn’t succeed in the playoffs, especially after having visited the highly-anticipated event two years in a row.