Milwaukee Bucks Head Coach Mike Budenholzer is facing questions after sitting star Giannis Antetokounmpo for an important stretch in the fourth quarter of Friday’s loss to the Miami Heat. At one point, the Bucks led 87-73, before scoring just 13 points in the final frame. The final score was 115-100. The Heat comeback was already on, but with 8:41 left, Giannis came out, and the team still had a four-point advantage. When he got back on the court, Miami was about to go in front for good. 

At the time of the rest, Antetokounmpo had logged only 28 minutes of playing time. He ended the game with less than Center Brook Lopez. Down 2-0 in a best-of-seven series, it is a curious choice to not lean on the regular season MVP. Milwaukee now has to win four straight games to stave off elimination. Miami has not lost in the Eastern Conference playoffs so far.