Doc Rivers and Bobby Portis react to the Bucks’ loss to the Pistons
Doc Rivers and Bobby Portis react to the Milwaukee Bucks’ loss to the Detroit Pistons on Nov. 22, 2025.
MIAMI – The Milwaukee Bucks are hoping to stop a five-game losing streak when they head into the Kaseya Center tonight and face the Miami Heat. Miami, meanwhile, has won five in a row and eight of its last 10.
The Bucks are 8-10 and have slid out of the Eastern Conference playoff picture while the Heat are the No. 3 seed in the conference at 12-6.
The game carries some added weight as well, as it is an NBA Cup pool play game for East Group C. The Bucks are currently atop the pool at 2-0 while the Heat are 1-1. The Bucks can clinch the group with a win and a New York loss at Charlotte.
Is Giannis playing?
No. He was ruled out at about 6:30 p.m. ET after beginning the day questionable to go vs. the Heat. Shortly before that announcement, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said wasn’t sure if Antetokounmpo would play. Rivers added that the Bucks star did not finish the entire shootaround workout earlier on Nov. 26.
“He’s close, which is good,” Rivers said.
Needless to say, the upgrade in status remains a step in the right direction for the Bucks’ superstar. Antetokounmpo strained his left adductor in a loss at Cleveland on Nov. 17 and has missed every one of the team’s losses since then.
- Taurean Prince, out (neck surgery)
- Kevin Porter Jr., out (right meniscus surgery)Rivers: “(Porter) had a great workout today, he’s close.”
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, questionable (left adductor strain)
Bucks starters
- Guards: Ryan Rollins, AJ Green, Gary Trent Jr.
- Forwards: Kyle Kuzma
- Center: Myles Turner
Tyler Herro has returned for Heat
Whitnall High School alumnus and all-star guard Tyler Herro is finally back for Miami after missing the first 17 games of the season following ankle surgery. Herro started his comeback hot, scoring 24 points on 12 of 18 shooting in just 29 minutes in a Heat win over Dallas on Nov. 24.
What is the NBA Cup?
The NBA Cup is an in-season tournament the league began during the 2023-24 season. It features all 30 teams broken up into six “groups” for pool play. The winners of each group and one wildcard from each conference (so eight total teams) advance to single elimination tournament play culminating in the championship game in Las Vegas.
“When they see the court, you can feel that it means something,” Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said.
“From a team perspective, it gives us a chance to look at big game situations.”
The Los Angeles Lakers (2023) and Bucks (2024) were the first two champions of the Cup while LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo were the first two most valuable players.
Each team has hung a championship banner in their respective arenas to commemorate the title.
What is the prize money for the NBA Cup?
- Winning team: $530,933
- Runner-up: $212,373
- Losing semifinalists: $106,187
- Losing quarterfinalists: $53,093
What time is the Bucks game?
The game is scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. CT tip-off.
What channel is the Bucks game on?
The game will be broadcast locally on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin. Dave Koehn, Wesley Matthews and Stephen Watson are on the call.
Bucks vs. Heat odds
Miami is a 7.5-point favorite over Milwaukee, with the over/under set at 237.5 points per BetMGM.
