The Heat have been playing tremendous defense, are home and have double-revenge motivation going here.




Miami has held nine of its last 10 foes under 100 points, including the past five. The Heat are off an impressive and confidence-boosting 96-84 road win against the Bulls two days ago.




While Miami is 5-3 in its last eight games, Milwaukee has dropped three of its last four and is playing for the third time in four days. The Bucks have won both meetings against Miami this season.




The Heat, though, have found a center now - Hassan Whiteside. He scored 14 points, pulled down 13 rebounds and blocked a franchise-record 12 shots against the Bulls. The Heat are healthy with Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh and Luol Deng all in the lineup, now fortified with the emerging Whiteside, who has averaged 12.3 points, 8.6 rebounds and four blocks in his last nine games. Sparked by Whiteside, the Hat have held 10 of their last 12 foes below their season scoring average.




The Bucks can't counter this star power and are without their best shot-blocker, suspended Larry Sanders.