The Milwaukee Bucks did just fine without superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo for game two. Miami and Milwaukee matched up in a crucial game two that could either swing the series in favor of the Heat or make it a dogfight. Let the dogfight ensue.
Bucks Came To Play
Milwaukee came straight out of the gate on fire. The Bucks matched the NBA record for most threes made in a playoff game with 25! The Bucks were firing on all cylinders as every single player was getting involved and clicking at every level. Defensive leader Jrue Holiday dropped 24 points while dishing out 11 assists and leading the team from the defensive end. Big man Brook Lopez was everywhere, playing the most minutes of any player and showed why. Lopez had 25 points with a lot of them coming naturally to him as the paint was open all night.
The starting five led the way for the Bucks but their true catalyst came off the bench with a flamethrower. Pat Connaughton scored 22 points off the bench while torching six of his 10 attempted threes. The Bucks were firing on all cylinders and it was nearly impossible for Miami to compete.
Heat Fizzle
The loss of phenom Tyler Herro was felt heavily as the Heat struggled to find their footing on the offensive end of the game. Miami came out flat and spent the rest of the game trying to play catch up. Jimmy Butler never let his intensity fade as he tried to keep the game within reach. Butler had 25 points while trying to be the leader and the spark that we know he can be. The Heat couldn’t contain the Milwaukee onslaught and the Bucks ended the first half with 81 points.
Coach Erik Spoelstra: “They had some good, clean, easy looks in the beginning. And then once they got on a roll, they were hitting some tough step-backs, stuff at the end of the shot clock. Any time there was kind of a momentum shift, they seemed to knock down a big one.”
The home crowd played an enormous factor in this game as Miami looks to take that to their advantage for game three.
Come Back Stronger
The Heat will look to find their footing in a series they don’t want to get out of hand too quickly. Game three will take place on Saturday at 6:30 in Miami as the Heat look to bounce back and prove they are here to stay and are a force to be reckoned with.