Butler scores 30, Heat top Giannis-less Bucks 121-99

MIAMI — Jimmy Butler took a tough fall. Victor Oladipo took a more durable one. And the Miami Warmth nonetheless discovered a strategy to knock off the Milwaukee Bucks, reclaiming the lead of their Japanese Convention playoff sequence.

Butler scored 30 factors earlier than leaving with a sore glute, main the eighth-seeded Warmth previous the top-seeded Bucks 121-99 on Saturday night time for a 2-1 lead of their first-round playoff sequence.

However what ought to have been a celebratory postgame — large win, sequence lead, midway to upsetting the NBA’s prime total seed — was something however, after Oladipo left within the fourth quarter after a knee harm that had the Warmth fearing very unhealthy information.

“I really feel most likely like how everyone feels,” Warmth coach Erik Spoelstra mentioned. “It was an incredible win, however once you see a participant go down like that — particularly a participant like Vic who’s gone by way of a lot within the final three years … that is positively not a great feeling.”

Accidents have now turn out to be the largest story on this sequence. The Bucks had been with out two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo for a second consecutive recreation due to a bruised decrease again, an harm he suffered in Recreation 1. The Warmth had been already with out Tyler Herro due to a damaged proper hand, additionally from Recreation 1.

Butler wasn’t shifting properly, and Oladipo’s scenario — even with out the Warmth providing an preliminary prognosis but — didn’t appear good, primarily based on the moment response of disbelief from teammates and staffers who rushed to his aspect as he grabbed on the knee.

“We’re all praying for one of the best,” mentioned Warmth guard Duncan Robinson, who scored 20 factors on his twenty ninth birthday for Miami. Kyle Lowry scored 15 for the Warmth.

Khris Middleton scored 23 factors, Jrue Vacation added 19 and Grayson Allen scored 14 for Milwaukee.

Recreation 4 is in Miami on Monday night time, when the Warmth will goal for a 3-1 lead. Miami took Recreation 1, Milwaukee took Recreation 2, Miami gained Recreation 3 and now it’s going to be the Bucks on the lookout for one other bounce-back.

“We should be higher,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer mentioned. “Like I mentioned, give them credit score. They performed properly. We should be higher. We have to cope with lots of issues higher. That’ll be the problem going into the subsequent recreation.”

With the win, the Warmth are midway to what could be a stunner — a No. 8 seed over a No. 1 seed, one thing that is occurred solely 5 instances because the NBA went to the 16-team playoff format in 1984.

Those that pulled it off: Denver over Seattle 3-2 in 1994, New York over Miami 3-2 in 1999, Golden State over Dallas 4-2 in 2007, Memphis over San Antonio 4-2 in 2011 and Philadelphia over Chicago 4-2 in 2012.

Butler obtained harm halfway by way of the third quarter after making an attempt a shot close to the rim and touchdown on his again. He stayed within the recreation briefly, departed for a brief stint within the locker room and returned with a big wrap on his again — with the Warmth saying he would return.

He did not, as a result of he did not should. The sport was in hand, and Miami finally led by as many as 29.

“We nonetheless had our probabilities,” Middleton mentioned. “Simply could not get it collectively.”

The primary half could not have gone higher for Miami. Butler had 17 factors within the opening quarter, the Warmth had a 19-0 run at one level, they set a franchise report by making 12 3’s in a half — and it was nonetheless solely 66-53 on the break.

The explanation, once more: Milwaukee was getting 3’s, once more. The Bucks made 25 of them of their straightforward Recreation 2 win and had been 10 for 18 from deep within the first half Saturday.

However the Bucks cooled after halftime, capturing solely 5 for 21 from 3-point vary, and the result was by no means doubtful.

TIP-INS

Bucks: Vacation’s first 10 factors got here within the opening 4:43. He reached 10 factors sooner in just one different recreation this season, needing 4:18 to take action towards Toronto on Jan. 17. … Pat Connaughton scored 11 for Milwaukee.

Warmth: Kevin Love returned to the Miami beginning lineup. … Robinson had been a part of just one different Warmth recreation on his birthday — it was final yr, when Miami misplaced Recreation 3 of a first-round sequence towards Atlanta 111-110. Miami was 6-0 all-time in video games performed on April 22 earlier than that. … Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel was courtside.

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