Jimmy Butler set a Miami playoff record with 56 points, and the Heat recovered from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 119-114 on Monday night, putting the NBA’s top overall seed on the verge of elimination.
Butler’s career-high 56 points sets playoff record for Miami Heat
Jimmy Butler scored 56 points to lead the Miami Heat to a surprising comeback victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday, putting the Eastern Conference’s top seed on the precipice
He opened the game with a 22-point first quarter that included a run of 20 straight Heat points. He finished with a 21-point fourth quarter to lead Miami back from a 12-point hole and secure a 119-114 Heat win. The victory gave the eighth-seeded Heat a 3-1 series lead against a Bucks club that concluded the regular season with the best record in the NBA.
Bucks’ Antetokounmpo returns with triple-double, but it’s not enough
Antetokounmpo looked unaffected by his injury, posting a triple-double and displaying the form that has earned him a two-time league MVP award. It wasn’t enough to overcome a tenacious Butler, who continued to carry the Heat on his back, this time with a career-high scoring performance.
Despite Antetokounmpo’s triple-double, the Bucks couldn’t hold off Butler’s incredible performance. Brook Lopez added 36 points and 11 rebounds for Milwaukee, but it was not enough to secure the win.
With the win, the Heat take a commanding 3-1 series lead, putting the Bucks on the brink of elimination. On Wednesday, Miami will have a chance to wrap off the series in Milwaukee.
The Heat will aim to continue riding Butler’s hot hand, as he put up one of his best games of the season in Monday’s win. The Bucks, on the other hand, will need to recover and figure out how to slow down Butler if they hope to keep their season alive.
