Bucks, without Giannis Antetokounmpo, dominate Heat to tie series at one

Brook Lopez scored 25 factors, Jrue Vacation added 24 and the hot-shooting Milwaukee Bucks withstood Giannis Antetokounmpo’s absence whereas trouncing the Miami Warmth 138-122 on Wednesday night time, tying their Japanese Convention first-round playoff collection at a recreation apiece.

The Bucks went 25 of 49 on 3-point makes an attempt to tie the NBA report for 3-point baskets in a postseason recreation. Pat Connaughton, who did not even play in Game 1, added a playoff career-high 22 factors whereas going 6 of 10 from past the arc.

Antetokounmpo remained out for Milwaukee after leaving the Bucks’ 130-117 Sport 1 loss early within the second quarter with a bruised lower back. The 2-time MVP suffered the harm on a tough fall after getting fouled late within the first interval throughout a drive to the basket.

“We’ll proceed to observe him and count on for him to enhance and nonetheless proceed to be optimistic that quickly he’ll be able to play,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer mentioned earlier than the sport.

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Brook Lopez #11 & Jrue Vacation #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks high-fives in the course of the recreation throughout spherical one recreation two of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 19, 2023, on the Fiserv Discussion board Middle in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  (Gary Dineen/NBAE through Getty Photographs))

The Bucks additionally had been lacking guard Wesley Matthews, who had strained his proper calf in Sport 1. The Warmth didn’t have Tyler Herro, who broke his proper hand in Sport 1 and certain gained’t return this season except Miami reaches the NBA Finals.

For at the very least one night time, the Bucks didn’t miss Antetokounmpo in any respect as they capitalized on a dramatic turnaround in 3-point capturing. In Sport 1, the Bucks went 11 of 45 on 3-point makes an attempt whereas the Warmth had been 15 of 25. This time, the Bucks made greater than half their 3-point photographs in a record-tying efficiency.

Joe Ingles scored 17 factors for the Bucks and was 5 of 6 from past the arc. Khris Middleton and Grayson Allen added 16 factors apiece. Bobby Portis had 13 factors and 15 rebounds.

Jimmy Butler scored 25 factors for the Heat, who host Sport 3 on Saturday.

Milwaukee Bucks’ Bobby Portis dunks towards the Miami Warmth in the course of the second half of Sport 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff collection Wednesday, April 19, 2023, in Milwaukee.  (AP Photograph/Aaron Gash)

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The Bucks initially thrived by counting on the identical components they used the final time they performed a house postseason recreation with out Antetokounmpo. They gave the ball to Lopez early and infrequently.

Lopez, who scored simply 10 factors in Sport 1, had 14 by the top of the primary quarter Wednesday. Throughout Milwaukee’s 2021 title run, Lopez had scored a playoff career-high 34 factors to assist the Bucks beat the Atlanta Hawks 123-112 in Sport 5 of the East finals whereas Antetokounmpo was out with a hyperextended left knee.

The success of Lopez inside opened issues up for everybody on the perimeter.

Connaughton sank a 3-pointer that capped an 11-0 run to place Milwaukee forward 62-41 with 5:29 left within the second quarter. Butler ended that spurt by making two free throws, however the Bucks scored the subsequent 13 factors – together with seven from Ingles – to seize a 32-point lead.

The Bucks led by as many as 36 within the third quarter. The Warmth outscored the Bucks 37-20 within the fourth quarter to make the ultimate rating considerably respectable. 

Milwaukee Bucks’ Pat Connaughton reacts after making a shot in the course of the first half of Sport 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff collection towards the Miami Warmth Wednesday, April 19, 2023, in Milwaukee. (AP Photograph/Aaron Gash)

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Warmth: Duncan Robinson replaced Herro within the beginning lineup and had 14 factors… After not taking part in in any respect in Sport 1, Victor Oladipo had seven factors by halftime Wednesday. He completed with 15.

Bucks: Jae Crowder acquired a flagrant 1 foul late within the third quarter for grabbing Butler’s proper leg because the Warmth ahead was going up for a shot close to the basket… Milwaukee had gone 11-8 in regular-season video games that Antetokounmpo missed… Lopez acquired the NBA Cares Group Help award for the month of March due to his assist of youth literacy. The NBA will donate $10,000 to the Milwaukee Public Library Basis.