Thursday Quickies: Kentucky Heat Edition

Former Wildcats are doing quite well in the bubble.

By John Morgan Francis@MonJorgan Sep 3, 2020, 6:40am EDT

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NBA: Playoffs-Miami Heat at Milwaukee Bucks

Former Kentucky Wildcats have had their fingerprints over a large portion of these NBA Playoffs.

For the Miami Heat, the script hasn’t been any different. Both Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro came into Kentucky as quality recruits and left as first round draft picks. Now, they’re contributing on the NBA’s biggest stage doing their best to get past the Milwaukee Bucks and to the Eastern Conference Finals.

A Sea of Blue

After stunning the Bucks with a game one victory, the oddsmakers didn’t see Miami pulling off another upset. But Bam, Herro and the rest of the Heat would not be denied. Bam (33 minutes) and Herro (32 minutes) combined for 32 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists in the Heat’s slight win over the Bucks to take a commanding 2-0 series lead.

They’ve both had their fine moments throughout this season and won’t be slowing down anytime soon. Miami leans on both Bam and Herro every night they take the court. Bam’s defense and ability to facilitate, combined with Herro’s toughness and ability to stretch the floor makes life much easier for Heat stars Jimmy Butler and Goran Dragic.

Much credit for the Heat’s 2-0 lead goes to Bam and Herro, but they still have work to do against reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo in order to close out the Bucks and advance to the Conference Finals.