As the Miami Heat marches toward the playoffs, matchups against clearly inferior opponents can sometimes seem more like obligations than games. But the Heat cant afford to slip up, because its fighting with the top teams in the Eastern Conference for home-court advantage in the playoffs. One such inferior opponent is the Milwaukee Bucks, a playoff team last year that is now the lowest-scoring squad in the NBA. But thanks to a thin conference, the Bucks still have an outside shot at the playoffs, which means theyll be playing hard, even if the Heat isnt. And though the Bucks arent the best at the whole putting-the-ball-in-the-hoop thing, they arent an untalented team. Center Andrew Bogut is a former number one pick, and point guard Brandon Jennings is one of the most electric if one of the most erratic young players in the league. Milwaukees finest will take on the Heat this Wednesday at the American Airlines Arena.
Wed., April 6, 7:30 p.m., 2011