Tuesday night features a much-anticipated Eastern Conference bout between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Miami Heat. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Co. host the reigning East champs, who incidentally, were responsible for Milwaukee’s devastating first-round exit in last season’s playoffs.
Unfortunately for the Heat, they will be significantly shorthanded when they battle the Bucks at the Fiserv Forum.
Jimmy Butler OUT Vs. Milwaukee Bucks
For starters, Jimmy Butler won’t be available to play on Tuesday night. The Heat star is currently on a leave of absence due to a recent death in the family. He was sidelined for Miami’s loss to the Boston Celtics on Sunday, and he won’t be available as well on Wednesday against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Butler will miss a total of three games because of this tragic turn of events as the Heat head into the All-Star break.
Butler, who is averaging 21.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.3 steals this season, was not voted as an All-Star this year, which will give him more time to spend with his family during the break.
Brutally Undermanned
It’s not just Butler who will be out of action against the Bucks, though. Miami will be without a second starter as Terry Rozier sits out due to a sprain in his right knee. Josh Richardson is also out of action due to a dislocated right shoulder, while Duncan Robinson is questionable to play with a left shoulder/elbow sprain.
With so many key guys missing on Tuesday night, much of the load will fall on the able shoulders of Bam Adebayo. The All-Star big man will have to make his presence felt on both ends of the floor against a powerhouse Bucks side.
UPDATE: Duncan Robinson will be available against the Bucks.
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