Jimmy Butler drops 30 points on Giannis-less Bucks as Heat take 2-1 series lead with Game 3 win

Jimmy Butler put on a 30-point display in the Heat’s torching of the Bucks, who had to miss their star Giannis Antetokounmpo for a second consecutive game, to take a 2-1 lead in Miami’s first-round playoff series against Milwaukee

Butler, who dragged the Bucks on social media after the Heat won Game 1, made 12 of his 19 shots (63.1 field goal percentage), including all four of his 3-point attempts, to clinch a costly 121-99 victory for his team. seal on Saturday night at Kaseya Center.

Heat guard Duncan Robinson came off the bench to score 20 points in 23 minutes for Miami. He had a rating of +24 in his cameo role. Kyle Lowry also made a positive impression from the bench, with 15 points in 28 minutes. He had a rating of +27 when he was on the floor for Miami.

For the Bucks, Kris Middleton scored 23 points on 8-14 shooting, converting 3 of 5 shots from behind the 3-point line.

Milwaukee’s 31-year-old small forward is trying to get back into top form after suffering a right knee injury in March that many feared would see him ruled out of the team’s first round playoff series.

Antetokounmpo missed his second game in a row due to a lower back contusion that occurred during the Bucks’ 130-117 defeat on Sunday in Game 1 of the series. The two-time MVP is listed as daily.

With the win, the Heat are halfway through what would be a stunner — a No. 8 seed over a No. 1 seed, something that has only happened five times since the NBA went to the 16-team playoff format in 1984.

Those who made it happen: Denver over Seattle 3-2 in 1994, New York over Miami 3-2 in 1999, Golden State over Dallas 4-2 in 2007, Memphis over San Antonio 4-2 in 2011 and Philadelphia over Chicago 4-2 in 2012.

Butler was injured midway through the third quarter after attempting a shot near the rim and landing on his back. He briefly stayed in the game, left for a brief stint in the locker room, and returned with a large shawl on his back – with the Heat saying he would return.

He didn’t because he didn’t have to. The game was in hands and Miami ended up leading by a whopping 29.

Still, it was a dismal end for Miami, first with Butler getting beaten up and then Victor Oladipo – who had been battling injuries for years – leaving late in the fourth quarter after apparently hurting his left knee. Oladipo was expected to play a bigger role for Miami in the postseason after Tyler Herro’s injury.

The first half couldn’t have gone better for Miami. Butler had 17 points in the opening quarter, the Heat had a 19-0 run at one point, they set a franchise record by making 12 3’s in a half – and it was still only 66-53 at the break.

The reason again: Milwaukee got threes again. The Bucks made 25 in their easy Game 2 win and were 10 for 18 from deep in the first half Saturday.

But the Bucks cooled down after halftime, shooting just 5 for 21 from 3-point range, and the outcome was never in doubt.