MILWAUKEE — 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 Jap 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 taking pictures 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.
Antetokounmpo was driving to the basket with 4:13 left within the first quarter when he received fouled by Kevin Love and landed laborious on his bottom. The 2-time MVP received up slowly, stayed within the sport to take his free throws after which headed to the locker room about 2 1/2 minutes later after choosing 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.
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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 throughout the closing minute of the second interval, and the Warmth disclosed the severity of his harm at halftime.
Herro had scored 12 factors earlier than his harm. 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.
Miami seized management of the sport earlier than Antetokounmpo’s harm because the Bucks appeared disjointed after an extended layoff. Not one of the Bucks’ starters had performed since no less than April 5, after they gained at Chicago to clinch the NBA’s greatest regular-season file and high 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 reduce 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.