While the end of the season didn't hold much weight for the Milwaukee Bucks, it certainly did for the teams around them in the NBA playoff picture. It had become clear that the Bucks would be the No. 3 seed with a little over a week to go in the regular season.

Right below Milwaukee there was a three-way logjam between the Knicks, Hawks and Heat for the 4-6 seeds. On May 15th, the Bucks welcomed in Miami and had Milwaukee lost that game, it would've almost assuredly pitted them against either the Knicks or the Hawks. Milwaukee went on to win the game going away, 122-108. As a result, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Co. are squaring off against Jimmy Butler and the Heat in round one. Interestingly enough, the Bucks actually discussed the idea of tanking the game against the Heat at the end of the regular season.

Via Zach Lowe of ESPN, the talks had by the Bucks to lose to Miami as to avoid them in round one genuinely took place.

“They had internal discussions about potentially doing so, sources said,” according to Lowe. “They unanimously opted against it. They wanted to enter the postseason in rhythm. They would not evince any fear of any opponent.” – Zach Lowe ESPN.

It may have turned out to be the right call by the Bucks. Currently, they lead Miami 2-0 in their best-of-seven series as it heads back to South Beach. Milwaukee squeaked out Game 1 in overtime and throttled the Heat by 34 points in Game 2.

Game 3 is slated for Thursday night in Miami and it has become almost a “must-win” for the Heat.

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