The Milwaukee Bucks lost their sixth consecutive game on Wednesday, as they are still unable to find the light amid the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo due to a groin injury. Without the two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, Milwaukee suffered a 106-103 loss in South Beach to Tyler Herro and the Miami Heat, which was also the team’s fourth loss since Antetokounmpo picked up the said injury.
Despite Ryan Rollins rebounding from a poor performance in last Monday’s defeat at the hands of the Portland Trail Blazers at home, Milwaukee failed to pass its test versus Miami.
Rollins had 26 points on 11-for-24 shooting from the field with seven boards and five assists in 41 minutes of action, while big man Myles Turner provided 24 points on 9-for-15 shooting with eight rebounds.
And aside from dropping to 8-3 in the NBA standings, Milwaukee’s chances to advance to the next round of the NBA Cup took a hit with that loss to Miami.
Can the Bucks still advance to next round of NBA’s in-season tournament?
Losing to the Heat meant that the Bucks, with a 2-1 NBA Cup record, can no longer top Group A of the Western Conference. That’s a significant blow to Milwaukee’s NBA Cup title hopes, but it’s certainly not over yet for the team.
Via Justin Garcia of Locked on Bucks:
This loss to Miami means the Bucks cannot win Group C, but can still qualify as a wild card. If the Hawks beat the Cavs, Magic beat the Pistons and Bucks beat the Knicks the Bucks would be the wild card for the East. In any other scenario point differential is going to be tough
Milwaukee only has a game left to play in group play, and that is this Friday’s meeting with the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Doc Rivers’ team and the Heat currently have identical 2-1 slates, while the Heat are atop the group with a 3-1 record. The Chicago Bulls and the Charlotte Hornets, also in Group C, are already eliminated from contention for the in-season tourney title.
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