Miami Heat Win Game 1 Against Giannis and the Bucks, 115-104

Jimmy Butler was fantastic, leading his Miami Heat to a win over the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, 115-104. The veteran forward was superb on both ends of the court, and was leading Miami’s comeback following a slow first period.

Butler had seven consecutive points in the decisive moments of the fourth quarter, leading his team to a safe distance, and securing the win.

“I felt like I took it up a level in the fourth quarter,” Butler said. “If that needs to happen every game, I’ve got to be able to do it. But we’ve got so many guys capable of doing it for us.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7rYe-47SR8

The former Chicago, Minnesota, and Philadelphia player delivered 40 points (career-high in Miami), making 13 of his 20 shots and 12 of 13 free throws, all this in 36 minutes.

Miami snapped the opening match of the series, even though they would start the contest slowly, allowing the Bucks to create a 40-29 lead at the end of the first 12 minutes. Back then, the franchise from Wisconsin seemed unstoppable with six threes in eight attempts, and with a solution to every defense Miami sets up.

Still, Erik Spoelstra, a 12-year head coach at Miami’s bench, found a way to wake up his players who radically decreased the rivals’ productivity. In the final period, Milwaukee recorded just 18 points.

Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t have his night offensively with just 18 points, but he did contribute in all other aspects of the game with 10 rebounds and nine assists. The Greek Freak had only four free throws made in 12 attempts.

“We’ve been here before,” Antetokounmpo said. “Going down 0-1 against Orlando, we did the same thing last year against Boston … We’ve got to come out and play Game 2, man.”

Khris Middleton had a team-high with the Bucks, 28 points. The All-Star forward added six rebounds and five assists. Brook Lopez scored 24 buckets, 11 of them in the opening 12 minutes. Yet, the experienced center had just one board.

Milwaukee was just 14-of-26 from the free-throw line, 53.8%, with Miami making 25 of 27, 92.6%.

Besides Butler, Miami had Goran Dragic, who was appearing in the moments when his teammate needed a break on the offensive side of the ball. Heat playmaker scored 27 points, was 9-of-15 with six boards, and five assists, constantly making problems for the Bucks’ defense.

Bam Adebayo was the ruling force under both rims, with 17 boards. The big man had 6 offensive and 11 defensives, presenting a wall for Milwaukee’s frontcourt. On top of that, Adebayo scored 12 points but also had 6 assists and two steals.

As time goes by, the 23-year old is becoming an elite center, and there is no doubt that Miami has a massive prospect in this guy.

The next contest of the series, Game 2 is scheduled for this Tuesday. Butler and the boys are high on morale and believe that they can only be better in the days to come.

“Just like they’ll be studying their film to get better, we’ll be doing the same,” Butler said.

Meanwhile, Giannis knows that the upcoming game might define the series and calls for the maximum focus before the same. He knows that a 0-2 deficit would be hard to reach.

“It’s a big game. Our season is on the line. We’ve got to come out, play hard, watch the tape.”