Milwaukee Bucks Sans Giannis Ride Hot Shooting to Blow Out Miami Heat in Game 2

Milwaukee Bucks Sans Giannis Ride Hot Shooting to Blow Out Miami Heat in Game 2

Joel Reyes
updated at April 20, 2023 at 7:17 AM
  • The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Miami Heat in Game 2 of their series
  • The Bucks evened the series at one game apiece with Wednesday’s win
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo did not play in Game 2 after injuring his back

The Milwaukee Bucks learned hours before tipoff they wouldn't have their two-time MVP forward, with Giannis Antetokounmpo's injured back aching too much for him to take the court for Game 2.

They gave their star teammate more time to heal.

Brook Lopez scored 25 points, with the Bucks tying their first-round Eastern Conference series at 1-1 on Wednesday night by beating the Miami Heat 138-122.

Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Pat Connaughton, Brook Lopez, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, Grayson Allen, Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, NBA, NBA Playoffs
Pat Connaughton of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against Victor Oladipo of the Miami Heat during the first half of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs on April 19, 2023. Image: Patrick McDermott
Source: Getty Images

Milwaukee shot the lights out in this contest. The Bucks knocked down 25 of their 49 attempts from beyond the arc, matching the NBA record for 3-pointers made in a playoff game, per ESPN.

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It was an incredible turnaround for the Bucks, who shot 11 of 45 from deep in their Game 1 loss.

Connaughton scores 22 off bench

Pat Connaughton, who did not play in the series opener, scored a playoff career-high 22 points against the Heat in Game 2. He shot 8 of 12 from the field, including 6 of 10 from the 3-point area.

Connaughton was among seven Bucks players who scored in double figures in this contest.

Jrue Holiday had a fantastic game, posting a double-double with 24 points and 11 assists. Grayson Allen and Khris Middleton each scored 16 points, while Bobby Portis dropped 13.

Joe Ingles was superb off the bench, scoring 17 points while shooting 5 of 6 from 3-point range.

The Bucks pulled away in the second quarter, outscoring the Heat 46-27 to open up a 26-point lead at the half. Milwaukee led by as many as 36 points in the third quarter.

The Heat struggled without Tyler Herro, who broke two fingers on his right hand in Game 1. Duncan Robinson started in Game 2 with Herro sidelined, scoring 14 points against the Bucks.

Grizzlies tie series with Lakers

Sports Brief also reported on the Grizzlies' win over the Lakers in Game 2.

Memphis pulled off a slim 103-93 win despite playing without Ja Morant.

Xavier Tillman scored 22 points and grabbed 13 boards for the Grizzlies.

Authors
Joel Reyes photo
Joel Reyes
Joel Reyes is a sports editor at Sportsbrief.com with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of the Philippines. He has eight years of work experience in sports writing.