NBA Playoffs must-follow storylines: Bucks vs Heat

NBA Playoffs must-follow storylines: Bucks vs Heat – Which coach will make the better adjustments?

Last season in the NBA playoffs, Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra dominated the coaching duel over Milwaukee’s Mike Budenholzer. Spoelstra made all the proper adjustments from containing Giannis to picking apart the Bucks’ defense, ultimately leading to a relentless five-game series victory. He’s been known to be one of the best coaches in the league when it comes to adjustments, and has showcased how well he can dissect the Bucks in previous years.

Now, the pressure will be on Budenholzer to hold his ground as his job is reportedly on the hot seat. If the Milwaukee Bucks lose this series, Bud will likely be gone, so will he be able to adjust in a timely manner against Spoelstra this time around?

If the Bucks are indeed successful under Budenholzer, it should stem from the rotational decisions and minutes distribution. There have been countless times where he’s been too stubborn to give his best players more minutes in the postseason or doesn’t play the proper personnel at certain times like late-game scenarios in crunch time. Bucks fans will vividly remember Bud choosing Pat Connaughton over Wesley Matthews to defend Jimmy Butler in the clutch during last season’s playoff series, which obviously didn’t work out.

Although, the Bucks have done a thorough job experimenting with different lineups and tactics as they’ve become more versatile as the season has gone on. Budenholzer and the coaching staff deserve credit for getting out of their comfort zone and being more open-minded, but will it pay off in the playoffs?

It’s been a common storyline all season for the Bucks as pressure continues to mount on their head coach, and it’ll be the main topic to follow in this anticipated rematch with Miami. Will Erik Spoelstra haunt the Bucks once again with his timely adjustments, or will Mike Budenholzer bounce back and reach over the hump with his job on the line?

This first-round matchup between the Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat is set to be a thrilling chess match, and the adjustments from the coaches will most certainly have a depicting say in the winner of this heavyweight series.