The Milwaukee Bucks put their four-game win streak on the line as they visited the Miami Heat in a nationally televised meeting on Tuesday.

Just before tip-off, they received the news that Giannis Antetokounmpo would be out due to a knee issue, which certainly would not make things any easier. Yet, the team did what they had to do and embraced a next man up mentality. Damian Lillard dropped 37 points and 12 assists, Brook Lopez had 13 points and three blocks and three other Bucks had double-digit points.

It wasn’t the easiest victory, as the Milwaukee Bucks blew another 20-point lead to make things close, but they did manage to come out on top, winning 106-103. Let us analyze three reasons why this win was particularly crucial.

At one point this season, the Bucks were 2-8, and things looked pretty gloomy. However, since then, they’ve won seven of their last eight games, including five straight. Now, after that early hole, they are a .500 team that is building momentum with each passing win. Chemistry continues to strengthen for the Milwaukee Bucks, and they’re now up to fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings.

Giannis Antetokounmpo has been putting together a dominant season thus far, but with the Bucks dealing with injuries, he has had to play some significant minutes. He’s had little injuries of his own here and there. Leading up to this game, he was initially dealing with a calf strain before he was ruled out with this left knee effusion. A game off could give the Greek Freak some needed rest.

With Giannis missing this matchup, it will now be a week before he returns to action if he does indeed take the court in Milwaukee’s next game on Saturday. Allowing your superstar to get a week’s worth of rest mid-season is excellent, but it’s even better when the team can win a game in his absence. Hopefully the time off can help the Greek Freak heal.

The Emirates NBA Cup is still growing on fans, but the Milwaukee Bucks being 3-0 in the East Group B bracket after this win over the Heat will certainly drum up excitement. With the win, the Bucks will face the Detroit Pistons on December 3 to decide the winner of this group. Without this win over the Heat, advancing would have been far more challenging.

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