This is not now how the Miami Heat planned to end their 2020-21 season.
Coming off an Eastern Conference championship and spot in last year’s NBA Finals, the Heat had more in mind this year than getting swept in the first round by the Milwaukee Bucks who lost to the Heat in the second round in 2020.
Both teams are different this time around, the Bucks better suited with personnel and style to handle the Heat who never really rediscovered the mojo that propelled them to the Finals.
On Saturday, Milwaukee defeated Miami 120-103 in Game 4, eliminating the Heat. The Bucks will play the winner of the Brooklyn-Boston series, and Miami will evaluate its season.
“They were a great team last season, and they improved on that,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “They took their game collectively to another level. They beat us for a reason. They were much better (than us) during the regular and in these four games.”