MILWAUKEE _ So this is the reward if the Miami Heat secure the No. 8 playoff seed in the Eastern Conference?
Spring in Milwaukee doesn't have quite the appeal it used to have.
Unless, of course, you're the hometown Bucks, entering the playoffs with Giannis Antetokounmpo on your side.
Firming up their league-best record, the Bucks cruised past the Heat for the second time in as many meetings this season at Fiserv Forum, this time by a 116-87 count Friday night, after a 38-point rout in the Heat's previous visit.
With Antetokounmpo handling the heavy lifting early and the Bucks outscoring the Heat 31-18 in the third quarter, the Heat needed a leading man of their own to step forward. On this night, there wasn't one.
Instead, with Antetokounmpo closing with 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, the Heat fell to 2-1 on this four-game trip that concludes Saturday night against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. Antetokounmpo was supported by the 18 points, 10 assists and two rebounds of Bucks forward Khris Middleton.
Going in, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said, "These are playoff games for us and we are treating them accordingly. This is how you would play playoff games."
For the Heat's sake, the hope had better be otherwise.
