Jimmy Butler, Heat blow by Bucks for 2-1 series lead

Jimmy Butler scored 30 points before resting in the fourth quarter as the host Miami Heat beat the Giannis Antetokounmpo-less Milwaukee Bucks, 121-99, to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series on Saturday, April 22 (Sunday, April 23, Manila time).

Reserve Duncan Robinson made five three-pointers and scored 20 points on his 29th birthday for Miami, which led by as many as 29 and never trailed after taking control late in the first quarter.

Kyle Lowry scored 15 points off the bench for the Heat, while Max Strus added 12 points. Bam Adebayo added 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists, and reserve Caleb Martin chipped in 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Khris Middleton led Milwaukee with 23 points. Jrue Holiday scored 19 points, Grayson Allen added 14, and Pat Connaughton supplied 11 along with 7 rebounds off the bench.

Antetokounmpo missed his second straight game due to a lower back contusion that occurred in the Bucks’ 130-117 loss on Sunday in Game 1 of the series. The two-time MVP is listed as day-to-day.

Milwaukee claimed an early seven-point lead before Miami closed the first quarter on a 14-0 run to move ahead 29-21. 

Butler scored 17 points in the period while shooting 6-for-8 from the field and 3-for-3 from three-point range.

Miami stretched its lead to 18 with just under 6 1/2 minutes left in the first half and held a 66-53 advantage at the break. Butler had 21 points before intermission to lead all scorers.

The Heat shot 50% from the field and 12-of-19 (63.2%) from three-point range in the first half. Miami’s 12 made three-pointers are the most in any half of a playoff game in franchise history.

The Heat maintained a double-digit lead throughout the third quarter but received a scare late in the period when Butler headed to the locker room with a bruised glute. The six-time All-Star soon returned to the bench but did not play in the fourth quarter.

Miami remained in control after taking a 15-point lead into the final period. The Heat shot 53.6% from the field and 16-of-33 (48.5%) from beyond the arc for the game.

Bobby Portis had 9 points and 10 rebounds for Milwaukee, which shot 44.7% from the field and 15-of-39 (38.5%) from three-point range.

Heat guard Victor Oladipo scored 8 points before leaving with a left knee injury late in the fourth quarter.

Game 4 is Monday in Miami. – Rappler.com