Final
Bucks-Heat Preview
Feb 1, 2010 - 3:59 AM By BRETT HUSTON STATS WriterMilwaukee (20-25) at Miami (24-23), 7:30 p.m. EDT
The Milwaukee Bucks threw off the offensive rhythm of Dwyane Wade and the visiting Miami Heat in the opener of a home-and-home series. The Heat hope Michael Beasley can return for the finale, and they'll also be hoping Wade is fit to join him.
Wade tweaked his back in Saturday's loss, and his status for Monday's visit from the Bucks is uncertain as the Heat try to avoid their fourth defeat in five games.
Wade and Miami's starters got plenty of rest in cruising past Detroit 92-65 on Friday even without Beasley, who was out with a hyperextended right knee. The Heat (24-23) then played it safe in Milwaukee on Saturday, sitting Beasley even though he took part in the pregame shootaround.
A night after the easy victory, however, Miami fell apart early at the Bradley Center. Andrew Bogut scored 12 of his 17 points in the first half as the Bucks (20-25) opened an 18-point lead en route to a 95-84 win.
Wade was 6 of 20 from the floor as Miami shot 37.2 percent. Charlie Bell, who had nine first-half points, spent most of the night defending Wade.
"I guess we got the D-Wade stopper on the team right now," said Bucks rookie guard Brandon Jennings, who had 17 points but shot 4 of 13 in his first game against Miami. "He did a real good job, but I think everybody did a good job showing help."
Wade also aggravated a back injury in the loss. While he is questionable for Monday, the six-time All-Star believes he'll be ready along with Beasley.
"It was tight, but no doubt, I was able to play," said Wade, held to an average of 20.0 points on 34.2 percent shooting in his last four games against Milwaukee. "The only thing I can do now is, hopefully, get some rest (Sunday). Hopefully, Monday, I'll be back. I'll be able to have my explosiveness back going to the basket."
While Beasley and Wade hope to play, Mario Chalmers will definitely sit. The second-year point guard will be sidelined indefinitely with a partially torn ligament in his left thumb.
The Bucks went 6-0 at home in January, but they have been a different team on the road, losing four straight and seven of eight since Jan. 10 - though their last three such defeats came by five points or fewer.
Milwaukee dropped eight of its last 10 at Miami.
"Teams play different when they are at their own house," Jennings said. "When D-Wade is in Miami there is no telling what he is going to do. We just have to bring the same intensity like we did (Saturday)."
Milwaukee could also use another strong performance from Bogut. The Bucks are 13-4 when he scores 17 or more.
Beasley averaged 18.1 points in his previous 11 games before getting hurt at Toronto on Wednesday. The second-year forward averaged 15.0 points against Milwaukee last season.
Miami will need someone to do a better job defending Bucks reserve forward Hakim Warrick, who had 10 of his game-high 22 points in the fourth quarter Saturday.
Warrick, in his first season with Milwaukee after spending his first four in Memphis, averaged 14.8 points in his last six games against the Heat.
- NBA
FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
MILWAUKEE 21 33 22 21 97
MIAMI 17 21 21 22 81 FINAL
HIGH SCORERS: MIL - ANDREW BOGUT 22, CARLOS DELFINO 16, TWO
PLAYERS WITH 12
MIA - DWYANE WADE 23, MICHAEL BEASLEY 16,
UDONIS HASLEM 12
Feb 1 9:54 PM - NBA
END 3RD QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
MILWAUKEE 21 33 22 76
MIAMI 17 21 21 59 END 3RD QTR
HIGH SCORERS AFTER 3RD QUARTER
MIL - ANDREW BOGUT 20, CARLOS DELFINO 13,
CHARLIE BELL 10
MIA - DWYANE WADE 18, MICHAEL BEASLEY 16,
UDONIS HASLEM 10
Feb 1 9:26 PM - NBA
HALFTIME 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
MILWAUKEE 21 33 54
MIAMI 17 21 38 HALFTIME
HIGH SCORERS AT HALFTIME
MIL - ANDREW BOGUT 14, CARLOS DELFINO 10,
HAKIM WARRICK 8
MIA - DWYANE WADE 15, MICHAEL BEASLEY 10,
UDONIS HASLEM 7
Feb 1 8:45 PM - NBA
MILWAUKEE 21
MIAMI 17 END, 1ST QTR
Feb 1 8:09 PM
Related News
- Shaquille O’Neal To Be First To Have Jersey Retired by Magic Jan 4
- LeBron James Has Been At His Best for Many Birthdays Dec 29
- Bucks vs. Knicks: A holiday disaster Dec 26
- Rapid Recap: Bucks 122, Knicks 129 Dec 25
- Bucks vs. Knicks: Game Thread Dec 25
- Milwaukee Bucks vs. New York Knicks Preview: Christmas Deja Vu Dec 25
- Monday Morning Media Roundup: When A Plan Comes Together Dec 25
- Bucks vs. Knicks: Bobbying for Apples Dec 24
- Rapid Recap: Bucks 130, Knicks 111 Dec 23
- Bucks vs. Knicks: Game Thread Dec 23
- Milwaukee Bucks vs. NewYork Knicks Preview: On The Road Again Dec 23
- Bucks Tracking Poll Results: Week 8 Dec 22