Wednesday night will mark the third meeting between the Heat and the defending champions with both teams splitting their first two matchups from earlier in the 2021-22 season.
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Having said that, both teams are coming into this contest with very contrasting track records. The Bucks, who started out slow with a 6-8 record through their first 14 games due to injuries and absences of multiple key players, have been trending upwards having won 12 of their last 13.
A clear indication of injuries or health being the big issue behind the slow start is the number of games their Big 3 of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday have played together. They have lined up alongside one another in just 11 of the 25 games so far but when they do, the team boasts of an undefeated record so far this season.
MORE: Bucks' Big 3 getting it done
Despite news of Brook Lopez's back surgery, the additions of DeMarcus Cousins and Wesley Matthews should provide them enough bodies around their stars as they look ahead to a road-heavy schedule. This Heat game is the first of a four-game road trip and is part of a stretch where the Bucks play eight of 12 away from the Fiserv Forum.
On the other hand, the Miami Heat are spiraling ever since their strong 11-5 start to the season. Since then, they have lost six of their next nine and once again, injuries have had a hand in this slide.
After suffering the injury against the Nuggets on Nov. 29, Bam Adebayo was forced to undergo thumb surgery and he is now reportedly out for a period between four to six weeks.
INJURY UPDATE: Bam Adebayo suffered a torn Ulnar Collateral Ligament in his right thumb during Monday's game vs Denver and will undergo surgery this weekend.
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) December 1, 2021
A timetable on his return will be provided post-surgery.
The team's other All-Star Jimmy Butler has four of the team's last five games due to a tailbone injury, one that he seems to have re-aggravated in the Dec. 6 game against the Grizzlies.
Without arguably their two best players, can the Heat put up a fight or will the Bucks race away to another victory and continue their ascend?
What channel is Bucks vs. Heat on?
- TV channel: ESPN
- Live stream: fuboTV
What time does Bucks vs. Heat start?
- Date: Wednesday, Dec. 8
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET | 4:30 p.m. PT
Bucks vs. Heat is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Dec. 8. The game will be played at the FTX Arena in Miami.
Bucks schedule 2021-22
| Date | Opponent | Time | National TV |
| Dec. 8 | at Heat | 7:30 p.m | ESPN |
| Dec. 10 | at Rockets | 8:00 p.m | - |
| Dec. 11 | at Knicks | 12:00 p.m | - |
| Dec. 13 | at Celtics | 7:30 p.m | - |
| Dec. 15 | vs. Pacers | 8:00 p.m | - |
(All Times Eastern)
Heat schedule 2021-22
| Date | Opponent | Time | National TV |
| Dec. 8 | vs. Bucks | 7:30 p.m | ESPN |
| Dec. 11 | vs. Bulls | 8:00 p.m | - |
| Dec. 13 | at Cavaliers | 7:00 p.m | - |
| Dec. 15 | at 76ers | 7:00 p.m | - |
| Dec. 17 | at Magic | 7:00 p.m | - |
(All Times Eastern)
NBA schedule for 2021-22
After a truncated season in 2020-21, the NBA has returned to its standard 82-game format for the 2021-22 campaign, which is the league's 75th anniversary season.
Here are some key dates for the 2021-22 NBA season:
- Trade Deadline: Feb. 10
- NBA All-Star 2022: Feb. 18-20
- Regular season concludes: April 10
- Play-In Tournament: April 12-15
- Playoffs begin: April 16
- NBA Finals begin: June 2
- 2022 NBA Draft: June 23
