Heat set team record for points in opener, throttle Bucks

The Miami Heat, setting a franchise record for most points in a season-opening game, used a 26-2 first-quarter run and 27 bench points from Tyler Herro to propel the locals to a 137-95 win over the visiting Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night, October 21 (Friday, October 22, Manila time).

Miami also got 21 points from Jimmy Butler and 20 points and a game-high 13 rebounds from Bam Adebayo.

The Heat shot 53.1% from the floor and 42.9% on three-pointers (15-for-35). The Bucks only shot 38.1% from the floor and 28.6% on threes (12-for-42).

Milwaukee, which went nine consecutive minutes without a field goal in a brutal first quarter and never led in the game, was led by superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, who had 15 points and 10 rebounds. Khris Middleton was held to 10 points.

The Bucks played without two starters: center Brook Lopez (back spasms) and Jrue Holiday (bruised heel). Rotation players Donte DiVincenzo and Bobby Portis are also injured.

Veteran point guard/six-time All-Star Kyle Lowry, Miami’s biggest offseason acquisition, missed his first five shots and finished with 5 points – on 1-for-8 shooting – and 6 assists. He didn’t make his first (and only) field goal until he swished a three-pointer from several feet beyond the line with 11:37 left in the third quarter.

Lowry, who appeared to sprain both ankles during the same second-quarter play, returned to the court just a few minutes later.

The Heat’s other newcomers this year are power forwards PJ Tucker and Markieff Morris. Tucker started and had 8 points and 6 rebounds. Morris had 7 points and 4 rebounds off the bench.

Miami scored 19 consecutive points and led 40-17 after the first quarter. The quarter ended with Herro rushing up court and hitting a 35-footer at the buzzer. The Heat shot 60.0% from the floor in the first quarter while Milwaukee shot 22.7%.

Miami led by as many as 31 points in the second quarter before settling for a 72-43 halftime lead.

The Heat led 105-69 after three quarters, and they cruised from there.

For the game, Miami outrebounded Milwaukee, 58-38. – Rappler.com