Jimmy Butler scored 35 factors and the Miami Warmth capitalized on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s early exit to beat the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks 130-117 on Sunday in an Japanese Convention playoff opener that includes two notable accidents.
The highest-seeded Bucks misplaced Antetokounmpo to a decrease again bruise early within the second quarter. Miami’s Tyler Herro broke his proper hand later within the interval.
No. 8 seed Miami had constructed a 68-55 halftime benefit earlier than Herro’s departure and stayed forward by capturing 59.5% (50 of 84) from the ground. The Warmth have been 15 of 25 and the Bucks 11 of 45 from 3-point vary.
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Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Warmth drives to the basket in the course of the recreation in opposition to the Milwaukee Bucks throughout Spherical One Recreation One of many 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 16, 2023 on the Fiserv Discussion board Middle in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Gary Dineen/NBAE through Getty Photographs)
Antetokounmpo was driving to the basket with 4:13 left within the first quarter when he received fouled by Kevin Love and landed arduous on his bottom. The 2-time MVP received up slowly, stayed within the recreation to take his free throws after which headed to the locker room about 2 1/2 minutes later after selecting up his second foul.
Though he returned to the sport with 9:56 remaining within the second quarter, Antetokounmpo went to the locker room once more with 8:33 left within the half and was dominated out for the remainder of the sport shortly afterward.
Herro appeared to harm his hand whereas diving for a unfastened ball late within the first half. He was in apparent ache whereas standing in entrance of Miami bench in the course of the closing minute of the second interval, and the Warmth disclosed the severity of his damage at halftime.
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Herro had scored 12 factors earlier than his damage. Antetokounmpo ended up with six factors and three rebounds in 11 minutes.
Bam Adebayo had 22 factors, 9 rebounds and 7 assists for the Warmth. Butler had 11 assists. Love had 18 factors and eight rebounds off the bench.
Khris Middleton led the Bucks with 33 factors and 9 rebounds. Bobby Portis had 21 factors. Jrue Vacation added 16 factors and 16 assists, although he shot 6 of 18.
Jrue Vacation #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball in the course of the recreation in opposition to the Miami Warmth throughout Spherical One Recreation One of many 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 16, 2023 on the Fiserv Discussion board Middle in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Gary Dineen/NBAE through Getty Photographs)
Miami seized management of the sport earlier than Antetokounmpo’s damage because the Bucks appeared disjointed after an extended layoff. Not one of the Bucks’ starters had performed since not less than April 5, once they gained at Chicago to clinch the NBA’s greatest regular-season report and prime playoff seed.
The Warmth led by as many as 14 within the first half. Antetokounmpo left the sport for good throughout a 9-0 Bucks run that minimize Miami’s result in 43-42, however the Warmth answered with a 12-2 spurt and remained in entrance the remainder of the best way.
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Warmth: Ranked simply twenty seventh within the NBA in 3-point proportion (.344) within the common season. … Had been 17-24 in away video games, together with a 9-17 mark in opposition to East groups.
Bucks: That is the third time in 5 seasons the Bucks have been the NBA’s prime general playoff seed. The opposite two instances, they misplaced to Toronto within the 2019 East finals and fell to Miami within the 2020 East semifinals. … The Bucks are making their seventh consecutive playoff look, the second-longest lively streak to Boston’s 9. The franchise report for consecutive postseason berths is 12 from 1980-91.
Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Warmth walks backcourt in the course of the first half of Recreation One of many Japanese Convention First Spherical Playoffs in opposition to the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Discussion board on April 16, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Stacy Revere/Getty Photographs)
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Recreation 2 is Wednesday at Milwaukee.
