No Giannis, big problem! Miami Heat secures biggest NBA playoff shock yet with massive 130-117 win over No. 1 ranked Milwaukee… after superstar Antetokounmpo’s injury left Bucks struggling
- Tyler Hero broke his hand and the Bucks’ Giannis Antetokunmo was injured as well
- Jimmy Butler had a massive 35-point game as the Heat shocked the top seed Bucks
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Jimmy Butler scored 35 points in a huge night for the Miami Heat, as they beat the Bucks by Don Giannis in Milwaukee to claim a massive 130-117 Game 1 win over the top seeds.
Bam Adebayo scored 22 points for the eighth-ranked Heat, who were playing less than 48 hours after qualifying by defeating Chicago in a playoff game.
Kevin Love scored 18 goals, Caleb Martin and Gabe Vincent added 15 goals, and Tyler Hero scored 12 before he was completely sidelined in the second quarter due to a broken right hand.
Antetokounmpo suffered a lower back contusion when he fell to the ground in the first quarter. He stayed in the game for a bit before going to the locker room and returning briefly early in the second quarter before leaving the game for good. He finished the game with six points and three rebounds in 11 minutes.
The top-seeded Bucks clearly missed their targets, but the Heat had already set the tone before they were sidelined.
Giannis Antitekounmo suffered a lower back contusion and was ruled out early in the match
Jimmy Butler took advantage of Giannis’ absence by scoring 35 points in a massive performance
Gabe Vincent and Kyle Lowry (R) look on during the game against the top seed Bucks
Chris Middleton led Milwaukee with 33 points, Bobby Portis Jr. scored 21 points, Junior Holiday added 16 points and 16 assists, Grayson Allen scored 12 points and Brooke Lopez scored 10.
The second game is Wednesday night in Milwaukee.
The Bucks trailed by 13 in the first half but used an 11-0 lead to within 78-75 midway through the third quarter.
Adebayo and Martin each converted three-point plays, Love made two three-pointers and Duncan Robinson added a late throw to help Miami score 24 points with 4:49 to open a 102-88 lead at the end of the third quarter.
Milwaukee closed to within eight points five times in the fourth quarter but never came close.
Butler scored 14 points to lead Miami 33-24 at the end of the first quarter.
Giannis leads the Miami defense through the early stages – before he gets injured
There was an injury for Miami as well, as Tyler Herro broke his right hand dive for the ball
Still going strong at 34, Kevin Love put in a phenomenal performance for the road team on Sunday
Middleton scored 10 points, Portis added six and closed the Bucks to within 43-42. The Heat scored the next seven points and opened up a 55-44 lead on a 3-pointer by Love.
Butler and Vincent each scored four more points as Miami doubled the lead to 68-55 at halftime.
In the last minute of the first half, Hiro moves to break the ball but does not defeat his opponent with it. Herro hit his hand on the court while sliding past the spot of the ball. Although he was in visible pain, he stayed in the game and attempted a shot before he was knocked out. The Heat later announced that he had broken his hand.
Butler drives the basket to attempt a layup against Milwaukee in a tough game
Jrue Holiday fouled Butler during the first half of the Fiserv Forum Center qualifying match
