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Preview
The Miami Heat haven't faced much difficulty compiling the second-best record in the Eastern Conference, but the Milwaukee Bucks have surprisingly had their number.
In the midst of both a six-game road trip and its only back-to-back-to-back stretch of 2011-12, Miami tries to avoid a three-game sweep of its season series with Milwaukee on Monday night.
The Heat (21-7) are tied with Chicago for the fewest losses in the East and have a three-game Southeast Division cushion over second-place Atlanta, but they haven't been able to solve the Bucks (12-15). Milwaukee has limited Miami to 88.0 points per game while taking three straight in this series, including both meetings this season.
After prevailing 91-82 in Florida on Jan. 22 while holding the Heat to a season-worst 37.3 percent from the floor, Milwaukee handed visiting Miami a 105-97 defeat Feb. 1 -- managing to overcome a season-high 40 points from LeBron James.
"It's a tough job, going against those guys," Bucks forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute said following the Feb. 1 win. "But it's a fun job, too. Those guys are the best and it's always fun to play against the best."
Miami is 10-1 when holding opponents below 40.0 percent from the floor -- with the only such loss coming in the Jan. 22 defeat to Milwaukee.
"We couldn't script it (any) better," said James, who had 23 points, 13 rebounds and six assists.
"When we play our best basketball, we can beat anybody. You have to do the dirty work. You have to defend."
Dwyane Wade added 21 points, and is averaging 25.3 on 54.7 percent shooting over his last eight games.
Let's Not Suck
