Kentucky duo takes Heat into playoff battle with Bucks
When the Miami Heat take on the Milwaukee Bucks in a first-round series, two of the Heat’s top three players are former Kentucky basketball players. Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro will try and play villains and knock out one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.
Adebayo’s inside presence has been nothing short of dominant ever since he entered the league in 2017. He quickly turned into a top big man in the game, making the All-Star game in 2020 and 2023.
However, the most impressive thing about Adebayo’s short career is his offensive improvements. He’s improved his scoring average every single year that he’s been in the NBA. His 20.4 PPG are the second-most on the Heat behind Jimmy Butler.
But those two aren’t the only 20 PPG scorers on the Miami roster. Another former Kentucky basketball star, Tyler Herro, averaged 20.1 PPG this season.
Herro’s arguably got the most hit-or-miss offensive game of the three but has turned into a fairly consistent player. He dropped 41 points on Houston, the most points in a game by any Heat player this season.
While the Heat are obviously huge underdogs heading into the series with Miami, both former Wildcats could help Miami pull off a legendary upset. The Heat will need every ounce they can get from Adebayo and Herro.
Miami and Milwaukee start their series this Sunday.
- Game 1: Heat at Bucks, Apr. 17, 5:30 p.m. on TNT
- Game 2: Heat at Bucks, Apr. 19, 9 p.m. on NBA TV
- Game 3: Bucks at Heat, Apr. 22, 7:30 p.m. on ESPN
- Game 4: Bucks at Heat, Apr. 24, TBD
- Game 5: Heat at Bucks, Apr. 26, TBD
- Game 6: Bucks at Heat, Apr. 28, TBD
- Game 7: Heat at Bucks, Apr. 30, TBD