Miami Heat led by Jimmy Butlers heroic effort defeat Milwaukee Bucks in game 1

Miami Heat defeated Milwaukee in game one to the surprise of many NBA fans. The Heat were struggling defensively in the first quarter. As Milwaukee couldn't seem to miss a shot and they ended the quarter 40-29. Miami quickly picked up the pace in the second quarter as they outscored the bucks 31-23 and lessened the deficit to a mere 3 points as the second quarter ended with the bucks up 63-60.

Miami took over the game in the third quarter as Jimmy Butler made 12 consecutive points and helped give Miami a lead of 92-86. Milwaukee struggled to get into a rhythm in the fourth quarter because the heat ran a very physical zone defense that made sure Giannis Antetokounmpo could only score by shooting 3's and free-throws, which are Giannis's two greatest weaknesses. Due to this, the Bucks shot creators were forced to make plays and Khris Middletons 5 points on 33% shooting in the fourth quarter was not enough as nobody else could seem to score and the absence of Eric Bledsoe became very apparent.

Not to mention Giannis Antetokounmpo shot 4-12 at the free-throw line that game and scored three points on 33% shooting during the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, the Bucks had no answer for Jimmy Butler defensively this whole game as Butler put on a clinic and made 15 points in the fourth quarter on 75% shooting and had a playoff career-high 40 point, 2 steals, a block as well as 2 assists and 4 rebounds.

Butler's phenomenal offensive game led to many fans and reporters wondering why did the Bucks never put Giannis on Butler and just as expected during the postgame interview a reporter asked the defensive player of the year if he had offered to guard Butler and Giannis replied "no, I didn't. Why would I do that? he then said, "I'll do whatever the coach tells me to do".

Both teams will have to make adjustments going into game two on Wednesday. The bucks will have to consider having Giannis guard Butler when he goes on shooting streaks like game one. The Bucks will need Eric Bledsoe back and healthy as soon as possible. Additionally, Giannis will have to start hitting his threes and free throws if they are going to win game two, especially because in game one Miami's lethal 3 point specialist didn't even play well which most likely will not happen again. Duncan Robinson shot only 1-4 when he averages 3.7 threes/game and has the potential to go off for 6+ threes on any given night. Miami is going to have to find a way to play as they did in the last three quarters in the 1st quarter as well because the Milwaukee Bucks will not back down without a fight. It will be interesting to see how the bucks MVP and DPOY Giannis Antetokounmpo responds in game two, will he shy away from the pressure or will he seize the moment and take over. This series is must-watch television.

--Matthew Robi