Milwaukee, the best team in the regular season, was knocked out in the Eastern Conference semifinals by Miami on Tuesday.
The march was too high for Milwaukee: without Giannis Antetokounmpo injured, the best team of the regular season was eliminated 4-1 in the conference semifinals by Miami (103-94) which returns to the final in the East for the first time in six years.
After a game 4 of all emotions, marked by the sprained right ankle of Antetokounmpo and the victory snatched in overtime, Milwaukee came up against the harsh reality of having to redouble efforts without his best player, facing to the Heat, which did not decrease in intensity and turned out to be more armed.
In this match, which was won in defense – the Bucks were limited to 36.3% success – Jimmy Butler and Goran Dragic, 17 points each, scored the baskets needed in the money-time. They were perfectly relayed throughout the match by a powerful bench, which brought 38 points including 14 scored by the only Tyler Herro (8 rebounds, 6 assists), real Factor X author of long-distance missiles which caused damage.
“You wouldn’t believe this guy is a rookie. The actions he does, the shoots he takes and comes in … that’s a key element for us,” Butler paid tribute to him. For Milwaukee, best attack and defense of the regular season, the disappointment must be immense, even if it stems from the injury of Giannis, named in the best five defensive of the year alongside Rudy Gobert (Utah), Anthony Davis ( Lakers), Ben Simmons (76ers) and Marcus Smart (Boston).
“I tried to do whatever it took to be able to play. But the physios told me the best decision was not to play. I sprained my ankle in Game 3 and then again in Game 4. .. At one point you have to trust your teammates and that’s what I decided to do, “said the” Greek Freak “.
But even with him, at Disney World, the Wisconsin team didn’t show the same domineering face. All in a context of social struggle where basketball has not always been at the heart of the concerns of its players, the latter having launched a historic movement of boycott of matches after the Jacob Blake affair.
They managed to pass the obstacle Orlando in the 1st round, but came up against a formidable Miami team that deserves to find themselves in the conference final, without LeBron James or Dwyane Wade as in 2014, but carried by an impressive collective strength.
