138-122 Bucks Win Without Antetokounmpo, Making 25 3s

(CTN News) – The Milwaukee Bucks rallied behind Brook Lopez’s 25 points and Jrue Holiday’s 24 points on Wednesday night to defeat the Miami Heat 138-122, tying their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series at a game apiece.

After making 25 of 49 3-point attempts, the Bucks tied the NBA record for 3-point baskets in a postseason game. Despite not even playing in Game 1, Pat Connaughton scored 22 points while making 6 of 10 3-pointers.

Antetokounmpo remained out for Milwaukee after leaving Game 1’s 130-117 loss early in the second quarter with a bruised lower back. He sustained the injury after falling hard after being fouled during a drive to the basket late in the first period.

“We will continue to monitor him and expect him to improve, and we remain optimistic that soon he will be able to play,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said before the game.

The Bucks were also without guard Wesley Matthews, who suffered a strained right calf in Game 1. There was no Tyler Herro in the Heat’s lineup, as he broke his right hand in Game 1 and is likely to miss the remainder of the season unless Miami reaches the NBA Finals.

Despite Antetokounmpo’s absence for at least one night, the Bucks took advantage of a dramatic improvement in their 3-point shooting.

In Game 1, the Bucks shot 11 of 45 3-point attempts while the Heat made 15 of 25. It was the’ fourth consecutive game in which they made more than half of their 3-point shots, which tied a record.

Ingles, who shot 5 of 6 from beyond the arc for the Bucks, scored 17 points. There were 16 points each from Khris Middleton and Grayson Allen. In addition to his 13 points, Bobby Portis had 15 rebounds.

The Heat will host Game 3 on Saturday, in which Jimmy Butler scored 25 points.

At first, the Bucks thrived by following the same formula they followed the last time they played a postseason game at home without Antetokounmpo. Lopez received the ball frequently and early in the game.

By the end of the first quarter Wednesday, Lopez had scored 14 points, up from 10 in Game 1. In Milwaukee’s 2021 championship run, Lopez scored a playoff career-high 34 points to help the Bucks defeat the Atlanta Hawks 123-112 in Game 5 of the East finals while Antetokounmpo was injured.

Lopez’s success inside opened doors for everyone on the perimeter.

In the second quarter, Connaughton sunk a 3-pointer that capped an 11-0 run to put Milwaukee ahead 62-41. Following Butler’s two free throws, the Bucks scored the next 13 points – including seven from Ingles – to take a 32-point lead.

There was a 36-point lead for the Bucks in the third quarter.In the fourth quarter, the Heat outscored the Bucks 37-20 to make the final score somewhat respectable.

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Duncan Robinson scored 14 points after replacing Herro in the Heat’s starting lineup. Victor Oladipo had seven points by halftime Wednesday following his absence from Game 1. He finished with 15 points.

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