The Milwaukee Bucks are cautiously optimistic that star Giannis Antetokounmpo could be available for Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against the host Miami Heat on Saturday.
Milwaukee evened the series at one victory apiece with a 138-122 win in Game 2 on Wednesday. Antetokounmpo missed the contest due to a lower back contusion that occurred in the Bucks’ 130-117 loss in Game 1 on Sunday.
The series heads to Miami after the Bucks turned in a dominant performance in Game 2. Brook Lopez scored 25 points, Jrue Holiday added 24, and reserve Pat Connaughton scored a playoff career-high 22 points while shooting 6 of 10 from 3-point range.
Even if Antetokounmpo is forced to miss Game 3, the Bucks have proven they can thrive without their star. Seven Milwaukee players scored in double figures on Wednesday, including Joe Ingles (17), Grayson Allen (16), and Khris Middleton (16).
Miami returns home after securing the desired road split, but coach Erik Spoelstra knows his team needs a better defensive effort after allowing Milwaukee to shoot 25 of 49 (51.0 percent) from 3-point range in Game 2.
Heat guard Duncan Robinson started in place of Tyler Herro, who is likely out for the rest of the series after breaking his right hand in Game 1. Robinson managed eight field-goal attempts and finished with 14 points.
Jimmy Butler has averaged 30.0 points in the first two games for Miami, but the team has struggled to find consistent scoring options with Herro sidelined. Miami also needs to figure out how to slow down Lopez after the 7-footer shot 12 of 17 (70.6 percent) from the field in Game 2.
Miami’s focus on Lopez allowed Milwaukee to find plenty of open shots from the perimeter in Game 2. The Bucks’ 25 3-pointers tied for the most made 3s in a game in NBA playoff history.
