Brook Lopez scored 25 factors, Jrue Vacation added 24 and the hot-shooting Milwaukee Bucks withstood Giannis Antetokounmpo’s absence whereas trouncing the Miami Warmth 138-122 on Wednesday evening, tying their Jap Convention first-round playoff sequence at a sport apiece.
The Bucks went 25 of 49 on 3-point makes an attempt to tie the NBA document for 3-point baskets in a postseason sport. Pat Connaughton, who did not even play in Recreation 1, added a playoff career-high 22 factors whereas going 6 of 10 from past the arc.
Antetokounmpo remained out for Milwaukee after leaving the Bucks’ 130-117 Recreation 1 loss early within the second quarter with a bruised decrease again. The 2-time MVP suffered the harm on a tough fall after getting fouled late within the first interval throughout a drive to the basket.
“We’ll proceed to observe him and count on for him to enhance and nonetheless proceed to be optimistic that quickly he’ll be able to play,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer stated earlier than the sport.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Brook Lopez #11 & Jrue Vacation #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks high-fives throughout the sport throughout spherical one sport two of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 19, 2023, on the Fiserv Discussion board Middle in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Gary Dineen/NBAE by way of Getty Photographs))
The Bucks additionally have been lacking guard Wesley Matthews, who had strained his proper calf in Recreation 1. The Warmth didn’t have Tyler Herro, who broke his proper hand in Recreation 1 and sure gained’t return this season until Miami reaches the NBA Finals.
For no less than one evening, the Bucks didn’t miss Antetokounmpo in any respect as they capitalized on a dramatic turnaround in 3-point taking pictures. In Recreation 1, the Bucks went 11 of 45 on 3-point makes an attempt whereas the Warmth have been 15 of 25. This time, the Bucks made greater than half their 3-point photographs in a record-tying efficiency.
Joe Ingles scored 17 factors for the Bucks and was 5 of 6 from past the arc. Khris Middleton and Grayson Allen added 16 factors apiece. Bobby Portis had 13 factors and 15 rebounds.
Jimmy Butler scored 25 factors for the Warmth, who host Recreation 3 on Saturday.
Milwaukee Bucks’ Bobby Portis dunks in opposition to the Miami Warmth throughout the second half of Recreation 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff sequence Wednesday, April 19, 2023, in Milwaukee. (AP Photograph/Aaron Gash)
GRIZZLIES’ JA MORANT OUT GAME 2 VS LAKERS WITH HAND INJURY
The Bucks initially thrived by counting on the identical components they used the final time they performed a house postseason sport with out Antetokounmpo. They gave the ball to Lopez early and sometimes.
Lopez, who scored simply 10 factors in Recreation 1, had 14 by the top of the primary quarter Wednesday. Throughout Milwaukee’s 2021 title run, Lopez had scored a playoff career-high 34 factors to assist the Bucks beat the Atlanta Hawks 123-112 in Recreation 5 of the East finals whereas Antetokounmpo was out with a hyperextended left knee.
The success of Lopez inside opened issues up for everybody on the perimeter.
Connaughton sank a 3-pointer that capped an 11-0 run to place Milwaukee forward 62-41 with 5:29 left within the second quarter. Butler ended that spurt by making two free throws, however the Bucks scored the following 13 factors – together with seven from Ingles – to seize a 32-point lead.
The Bucks led by as many as 36 within the third quarter. The Warmth outscored the Bucks 37-20 within the fourth quarter to make the ultimate rating considerably respectable.
Milwaukee Bucks’ Pat Connaughton reacts after making a shot throughout the first half of Recreation 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff sequence in opposition to the Miami Warmth Wednesday, April 19, 2023, in Milwaukee. (AP Photograph/Aaron Gash)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
TIP-INS
Warmth: Duncan Robinson changed Herro within the beginning lineup and had 14 factors… After not taking part in in any respect in Recreation 1, Victor Oladipo had seven factors by halftime Wednesday. He completed with 15.
Bucks: Jae Crowder acquired a flagrant 1 foul late within the third quarter for grabbing Butler’s proper leg because the Warmth ahead was going up for a shot close to the basket… Milwaukee had gone 11-8 in regular-season video games that Antetokounmpo missed… Lopez acquired the NBA Cares Group Help award for the month of March due to his help of youth literacy. The NBA will donate $10,000 to the Milwaukee Public Library Basis.
