Miami @ Milwaukee preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 14, 2018 ) Milwaukee 79, Miami 97

The Miami Heat will try to start another winning streak against the last team they defeated when they visit the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday. A dominating defensive effort led the Heat to a 97-79 win over the Bucks on Sunday at home, which ran their longest winning streak of the season to seven games.

However, Miami saw its run come to an end with an eight-point setback at Chicago the following night, and coach Erik Spoelstra was peeved with his team's perimeter defense. "They lit us up," Spoelstra said after the Bulls hit 16 3-pointers, the second-highest total for a Heat opponent this season. "They have been playing well for 20 games. It's not like they're sneaking up on us. They've been playing good basketball. They play hard. They compete." The Bucks shot a season-low 31.6 percent at Miami before bouncing back to defeat Washington 104-95 the next day on the road. MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 27 points and a career-high 20 rebounds to push his average in the latter category into double figures at 10.1.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Miami), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

ABOUT THE HEAT (25-18): A big part of Miami's current 14-5 surge is the play of Tyler Johnson, but the 25-year-old - who averaged 15.9 points in December - left Monday's loss with an ankle injury and is doubtful for this one. Fellow guard Goran Dragic is on a season-high run of four straight games with at least 20 points and backup Wayne Ellington hit that mark while making five 3-pointers in the loss to Chicago. Miami, which ended a four-game road winning streak in the loss, is in the midst of a stretch in which it will play 11 of 14 away from home.

ABOUT THE BUCKS (23-20): Antetokounmpo entered Tuesday ranked second in the NBA in scoring (28.3), ninth in rebounding and in the top 20 in both steals (1.54) and blocks (1.24). "He was all over the floor tonight," teammate Eric Bledsoe told reporters. "That's the things we need from him night in and night out." Bledsoe chipped in 23 points - his best output in seven games - and recorded four steals for the fourth time this month.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Bucks SF Khris Middleton is 2-for-17 from 3-point range over his last four games.

2. Heat C Kelly Olynyk had 21 points and a career-high eight assists against the Bulls.

3. Miami has won three straight meetings overall.

PREDICTION: Bucks 103, Heat 98