The Miami Heat will play the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday at Orlando.

The Heat (43-25) are coming off a huge 112-106 win over the Boston Celtics in their previous game, and they have tightened their grip in the fourth seed of the Eastern Conference -- now they own a one-game lead over the Indiana Pacers and a 2.5-game lead over the Philadelphia 76ers in the race for that spot. Miami has gone 2-1 since the restart, but they can't complain about their performances since that lone defeat came against the Toronto Raptors, who have been one of the best teams in The Association since play resumed July 31. This test against the Bucks will be a good measure for Miami if they want to find out where they really are ahead of what promises to be a heated playoff race.

Miami lists Jimmy Butler as out with a foot injury, while Goran Dragic will be a game-time decision due to an ankle problem.

The Bucks (54-14), on the other hand, have been one of the biggest disappointments since the restart of the league, as they have gone 1-2 and have not looked like the team that steamrolled past their opponents during most of the 2019-20 regular season. In fact, Milwaukee has won just one of its last six regular-season games, and head coach Mike Budenholzer seemed to have enough during the team's 119-116 loss against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, as he benched both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton, perhaps trying to send a message to the team. The Bucks remain the team to beat in the Eastern Conference, but it's not a secret that they need to improve before the 2019-20 NBA playoffs start.

Milwaukee lists Wesley Matthews (calf) and Brook Lopez (rest) as game-time decisions ahead of this contest. It also remains to be seen how involved will Middleton and Antetokoumpo be following their benching Tuesday against the Nets.

This will be the third meeting between these two teams this season, and Miami has won the two prior contests -- 131-126 on October 26, and 105-89 on March 3.