Heat uses three-point shooting, defense to earn impressive win over Antetokounmpo’s Bucks
The Miami Heat has already lost to three of the NBA’s worst teams since the All-Star break, falling to the Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves over the past two weeks.
If those losses weren’t already hard to explain, the Heat (39-22) proved Monday it has enough to beat the team with the NBA’s top record when it defeated reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks 105-89 at AmericanAirlines Arena.
Two of Bucks’ (52-9) nine losses this season have come against the Heat, which leads the season series 2-0. The teams face off for the final time this season on March 16 in Milwaukee.
How did the Heat do it Monday?
It took an incredible shooting performance, as Miami shot 18 of 37 on threes. Making outside shots against Milwaukee is important because the Bucks’ defense gives up the most three-point attempts in the league and also is the best at protecting the rim.
Jae Crowder led the Heat’s impressive shooting display with 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the field and 5-of-9 shooting on threes. Jimmy Butler contributed 18 points, six rebounds and seven assists. And Bam Adebayo finished with 14 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and four blocks.
While the Heat had a lot of success on threes, it didn’t have much success in the paint. The Bucks, which entered limiting opponents to a league-low 54.4 percent shooting from inside the restricted area, held the Heat to 10-of-21 shooting at the rim Monday.
But a stellar three-point shooting performance and solid defense was enough for Miami. Antetokounmpo, who is a Heat target in 2021 free agency, finished with a season-low 13 points on 6-of-18 shooting and 15 rebounds.
The Heat limited the Bucks to 40.7 percent shooting from the field and 7-of-34 shooting on threes. Milwaukee entered averaging 13.9 three-point makes per game on 36.2 percent shooting from deep.
Next up for the Heat is a Wednesday matchup against the Orlando Magic, which marks the end of Miami’s five-game homestand. The Heat is 3-1 on the homestand.
This story was originally published March 2, 2020 at 9:54 PM.
