Butler Scores 30, Warmth High Giannis-Much less Bucks 121-99

MIAMI (AP) — Jimmy Butler scored 30 factors earlier than leaving with again soreness following a tough fall, and the eighth-seeded Miami Warmth beat the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks 121-99 on Saturday night time for a 2-1 lead of their Japanese Convention first-round playoff sequence.

Duncan Robinson scored 20 factors on his twenty ninth birthday for Miami, whereas Kyle Lowry scored 15 for the Warmth.

The Bucks had been with out Giannis Antetokounmpo for a second consecutive recreation due to a bruised decrease again. Khris Middleton scored 23 factors, Jrue Vacation added 19 and Grayson Allen scored 14 for Milwaukee.

Sport 4 is in Miami on Monday night time.

With the win, the Warmth are midway to what can be a stunner — a No. 8 seed over a No. 1 seed, one thing that’s 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 acquired harm halfway by means of the third quarter after attempting 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 didn’t, as a result of he didn’t should. The sport was in hand, and Miami ultimately led by as many as 29.

Nonetheless, it was a somber ending for Miami, first with Butler getting banged up after which with Victor Oladipo — who has spent years coping with damage points — leaving late within the fourth quarter after apparently hurting his left knee. Oladipo was anticipated to play an even bigger function for Miami within the postseason after the damage to Tyler Herro.

The primary half couldn’t 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 document 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 Sport 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.

Bucks: Vacation’s first 10 factors got here within the opening 4:43. He reached 10 factors quicker in just one different recreation this season, needing 4:18 to take action in opposition to 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 Sport 3 of a first-round sequence in opposition to 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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