Bucks trounce Miami without Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Milwaukee Bucks handled the Miami Heat in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series Wednesday, winning 138-122 to even the series. Here’s what you need to know: The Bucks were without two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was ruled out with a lower back contusion ahead of the contest. He suffered the injury in the first quarter of Game 1. Brook Lopez led Milwaukee with 25 points in 12-of-17 shooting, but he was one of seven Bucks to score in double figures as the team drained 25 3-pointers — tying the playoff record. Jrue Holiday had 24 points and Pat Connaughton scored 22 off the bench (going 6-of-10 from 3). Milwaukee led by as many as 36 points. Jimmy Butler paced Miami with 25 points, shooting 8-of-12 from the field. The Heat and Bucks shot a nearly identical 53.6 percent and 53.5 percent from the field, respectively.
Source: Darnell Mayberry, Eric Nehm, Eric Nehm and Darnell Mayberry @ The Athletic
Source: Darnell Mayberry, Eric Nehm, Eric Nehm and Darnell Mayberry @ The Athletic
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Bucks convert 25 3-pointers to match NBA playoff record in Game 2 win over Heat, without Giannis Antetokounmpo
cbssports.com/nba/news/bucks… – 12:42 AM
Bucks convert 25 3-pointers to match NBA playoff record in Game 2 win over Heat, without Giannis Antetokounmpo
cbssports.com/nba/news/bucks… – 12:42 AM
Kane Pitman @KanePitman
Postgame Locked on Bucks w/@Frank Madden
🏀 Brook establishes dominance in the paint
🏀 Bucks catch fire from the outside
🏀 Pat Connaughton back?
🏀 Bobby Portis typifies energy shift
🏀 Giannis watch continues
📺 https://t.co/GE2IYKnYog
🎙️ https://t.co/fq5or6OoXX pic.twitter.com/JxlI7nLicy – 12:13 AM
Postgame Locked on Bucks w/@Frank Madden
🏀 Brook establishes dominance in the paint
🏀 Bucks catch fire from the outside
🏀 Pat Connaughton back?
🏀 Bobby Portis typifies energy shift
🏀 Giannis watch continues
📺 https://t.co/GE2IYKnYog
🎙️ https://t.co/fq5or6OoXX pic.twitter.com/JxlI7nLicy – 12:13 AM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Bucks rain 25 3-pointers on Heat, win despite Antetokounmpo sitting out nba.nbcsports.com/2023/04/20/buc… – 12:04 AM
Bucks rain 25 3-pointers on Heat, win despite Antetokounmpo sitting out nba.nbcsports.com/2023/04/20/buc… – 12:04 AM
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
Bucks destroy the Heat without Giannis making 25 three-pointers
eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/14… – 11:20 PM
Bucks destroy the Heat without Giannis making 25 three-pointers
eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/14… – 11:20 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
No Giannis, no problem for Bucks in 138-122 thrashing of Heat that evens series 1-1. sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-h… – 11:19 PM
No Giannis, no problem for Bucks in 138-122 thrashing of Heat that evens series 1-1. sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-h… – 11:19 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Bobby Portis tonight:
13 PTS
15 REB
5 AST
5-9 FG
3-4 3P
Joins Giannis as the only Bucks to record a 10/15/5 playoff game over the last 20 seasons. pic.twitter.com/2MdCmBQrzq – 11:14 PM
Bobby Portis tonight:
13 PTS
15 REB
5 AST
5-9 FG
3-4 3P
Joins Giannis as the only Bucks to record a 10/15/5 playoff game over the last 20 seasons. pic.twitter.com/2MdCmBQrzq – 11:14 PM
Andrew Sharp @andrewsharp
One game, small sample, etc, but in a playoff setting, are we sure the Bucks aren’t better without Giannis? – 10:56 PM
One game, small sample, etc, but in a playoff setting, are we sure the Bucks aren’t better without Giannis? – 10:56 PM
Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
Another double-double for Bobby Portis when he starts for Giannis Antetokounmpo – dunk gives him 10 points to go with his 14 rebounds.
#Bucks lead 112-78 – 10:41 PM
Another double-double for Bobby Portis when he starts for Giannis Antetokounmpo – dunk gives him 10 points to go with his 14 rebounds.
#Bucks lead 112-78 – 10:41 PM
Darnell Mayberry @DarnellMayberry
Game 1: Heat put up 130 points in a road win despite missing Tyler Herro in the second half.
Game 2: Bucks, without Giannis Antetokounmpo and Wes Matthews, sitting on 107 points with 4:23 left in the third.
Just how everyone thought this series would go. – 10:36 PM
Game 1: Heat put up 130 points in a road win despite missing Tyler Herro in the second half.
Game 2: Bucks, without Giannis Antetokounmpo and Wes Matthews, sitting on 107 points with 4:23 left in the third.
Just how everyone thought this series would go. – 10:36 PM
The Vertical @Balldontlie
Heat-Bucks at the half 😳
Giannis isn’t playing. pic.twitter.com/uhXMVWA4Ie – 10:13 PM
Heat-Bucks at the half 😳
Giannis isn’t playing. pic.twitter.com/uhXMVWA4Ie – 10:13 PM
Chris Fedor @ChrisFedor
The Bucks — without Giannis — are nine points away from the Knicks total in Game 2. It’s halftime. – 10:03 PM
The Bucks — without Giannis — are nine points away from the Knicks total in Game 2. It’s halftime. – 10:03 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Halftime: Bucks 81, Heat 55. Bucks shooting 60 percent from the field and 12 of 21 (57.1 percent) on threes. Jrue Holiday with 21 points. Giannis isn’t playing. – 10:02 PM
Halftime: Bucks 81, Heat 55. Bucks shooting 60 percent from the field and 12 of 21 (57.1 percent) on threes. Jrue Holiday with 21 points. Giannis isn’t playing. – 10:02 PM
Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
For them to be embarrassed like this without Giannis is so demoralizing. And it has happened twice now in two months – 9:58 PM
For them to be embarrassed like this without Giannis is so demoralizing. And it has happened twice now in two months – 9:58 PM
Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
With Bam efficiency numbers down since mid February, two years of fans calling for aggressive Bam has been muted. Butler with 2 of first 15 Heat shot; that must change. And Bucks with 12-6 edge on boards even with no Giannis – 9:24 PM
With Bam efficiency numbers down since mid February, two years of fans calling for aggressive Bam has been muted. Butler with 2 of first 15 Heat shot; that must change. And Bucks with 12-6 edge on boards even with no Giannis – 9:24 PM
Henry Abbott @TrueHoop
The Bucks might be without Giannis and the Heat will be without Herro.
@coachthorpe tells @jshector despite the injuries the Bucks are still the better team.
Full episode: link.chtbl.com/TrueHoopSocial1 pic.twitter.com/igoQkIIoPt – 9:00 PM
The Bucks might be without Giannis and the Heat will be without Herro.
@coachthorpe tells @jshector despite the injuries the Bucks are still the better team.
Full episode: link.chtbl.com/TrueHoopSocial1 pic.twitter.com/igoQkIIoPt – 9:00 PM
Jamal Collier @JamalCollier
Bobby Portis will start tonight in place of Giannis Antetokounmpo – 8:35 PM
Bobby Portis will start tonight in place of Giannis Antetokounmpo – 8:35 PM
Wes Goldberg @wcgoldberg
For the Bucks: Bobby Portis getting the start in place of Giannis. – 8:35 PM
For the Bucks: Bobby Portis getting the start in place of Giannis. – 8:35 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Bucks’ Antetokounmpo out for Game 2 vs. Heat with back injury nba.nbcsports.com/2023/04/19/buc… – 8:02 PM
Bucks’ Antetokounmpo out for Game 2 vs. Heat with back injury nba.nbcsports.com/2023/04/19/buc… – 8:02 PM
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
If Bucks go down 0-2, I wouldn’t panic, but it opens the door to more going wrong and costing them. Milwaukee has been good this year when they know Giannis is out entering a game. Worst news is that this injury could cost Giannis time & the ability to play at his best. – 7:57 PM
If Bucks go down 0-2, I wouldn’t panic, but it opens the door to more going wrong and costing them. Milwaukee has been good this year when they know Giannis is out entering a game. Worst news is that this injury could cost Giannis time & the ability to play at his best. – 7:57 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
At @TheAthletic:
Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo out for Game 2 vs. Heat with lower back contusion theathletic.com/4426442/2023/0… – 7:50 PM
At @TheAthletic:
Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo out for Game 2 vs. Heat with lower back contusion theathletic.com/4426442/2023/0… – 7:50 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is out vs. Heat tonight miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia… – 7:44 PM
Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is out vs. Heat tonight miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia… – 7:44 PM
The Vertical @Balldontlie
🚨 Giannis (back) is OUT for tonight’s Game 2 between the Bucks and Heat. pic.twitter.com/1XbY74XRpd – 7:30 PM
🚨 Giannis (back) is OUT for tonight’s Game 2 between the Bucks and Heat. pic.twitter.com/1XbY74XRpd – 7:30 PM
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
No Giannis. I am absolutely stunned. It’s not like he doesn’t play through stuff, because he does, so his back must be seriously hurting. – 7:27 PM
No Giannis. I am absolutely stunned. It’s not like he doesn’t play through stuff, because he does, so his back must be seriously hurting. – 7:27 PM
CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Giannis Antetokounmpo injury update: Bucks star out for Game 2 vs. Heat with back contusion
cbssports.com/nba/news/giann… – 7:24 PM
Giannis Antetokounmpo injury update: Bucks star out for Game 2 vs. Heat with back contusion
cbssports.com/nba/news/giann… – 7:24 PM
Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
With all that said, Heat better not come out like they’re playing the Bucks without Giannis
They need to come out with the same energy of game 1 – 7:23 PM
With all that said, Heat better not come out like they’re playing the Bucks without Giannis
They need to come out with the same energy of game 1 – 7:23 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Budenholzer said Giannis had been upgraded to questionable to follow NBA guidelines if there was a chance for him to play. – 7:19 PM
Budenholzer said Giannis had been upgraded to questionable to follow NBA guidelines if there was a chance for him to play. – 7:19 PM
Chris Haynes @ChrisBHaynes
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is out for Game 2 against the Miami Heat. – 7:19 PM
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is out for Game 2 against the Miami Heat. – 7:19 PM
Darnell Mayberry @DarnellMayberry
Giannis Antetokounmpo will not play in tonight’s Game 2 against Miami, Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. – 7:18 PM
Giannis Antetokounmpo will not play in tonight’s Game 2 against Miami, Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. – 7:18 PM
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo will not play in Game 2 vs. Heat. – 7:18 PM
Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo will not play in Game 2 vs. Heat. – 7:18 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said Giannis will not play tonight.
Well, then. – 7:18 PM
Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said Giannis will not play tonight.
Well, then. – 7:18 PM
Justin Garcia @tmjgarcia
5:30 injury report still has Giannis listed as Questionable – however he wasn’t on the floor at his usual time with Khris Middleton – 7:09 PM
5:30 injury report still has Giannis listed as Questionable – however he wasn’t on the floor at his usual time with Khris Middleton – 7:09 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Giannis Antetokounmpo remains questionable for tonight’s game on the 6:30 p.m. injury report. But yeah, you know where things seem to be trending. – 6:41 PM
Giannis Antetokounmpo remains questionable for tonight’s game on the 6:30 p.m. injury report. But yeah, you know where things seem to be trending. – 6:41 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
NBA 5:30 p.m. injury report still has Giannis as questionable for tonight vs. Heat. Only three more injury reports at the bottom of the hours to go before 9 p.m. game. – 5:33 PM
NBA 5:30 p.m. injury report still has Giannis as questionable for tonight vs. Heat. Only three more injury reports at the bottom of the hours to go before 9 p.m. game. – 5:33 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Will Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo play in Game 2 vs. Heat? The latest on his status miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia… – 4:38 PM
Will Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo play in Game 2 vs. Heat? The latest on his status miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia… – 4:38 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
NEW: Will Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo play in Game 2 vs. Heat? Well, he’s been upgraded from doubtful to questionable miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia… – 2:03 PM
NEW: Will Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo play in Game 2 vs. Heat? Well, he’s been upgraded from doubtful to questionable miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia… – 2:03 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
At @TheAthletic: Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo upgraded to questionable for Game 2 vs. Heat with lower back contusion theathletic.com/4426442/2023/0… – 2:02 PM
At @TheAthletic: Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo upgraded to questionable for Game 2 vs. Heat with lower back contusion theathletic.com/4426442/2023/0… – 2:02 PM
Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
The Bucks have upgraded Giannis Antetokounmpo (lower back contusion) from doubtful to questionable for tonight’s Game 2 against Miami.
More NBA from me: marcstein.substack.com – 2:00 PM
The Bucks have upgraded Giannis Antetokounmpo (lower back contusion) from doubtful to questionable for tonight’s Game 2 against Miami.
More NBA from me: marcstein.substack.com – 2:00 PM
Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
Giannis Antetokounmpo has been upgraded to questionable on new injury report; What we know ahead of Game 2 of the NBA playoff series vs. Heat jsonline.com/story/sports/n… via @journalsentinel – 1:52 PM
Giannis Antetokounmpo has been upgraded to questionable on new injury report; What we know ahead of Game 2 of the NBA playoff series vs. Heat jsonline.com/story/sports/n… via @journalsentinel – 1:52 PM
Jamal Collier @JamalCollier
Giannis Antetokounmpo has been upgraded to questionable for Game 2 on the Bucks latest injury report – 1:49 PM
Giannis Antetokounmpo has been upgraded to questionable for Game 2 on the Bucks latest injury report – 1:49 PM
Kevin Pelton @kpelton
After both Giannis and Ja left Sunday’s Game 1s with injuries on plays where defenders tried to take charges against them, wrote about how we could modify the rule to prevent those midair falls: espn.com/nba/insider/st… (ESPN+) – 1:43 PM
After both Giannis and Ja left Sunday’s Game 1s with injuries on plays where defenders tried to take charges against them, wrote about how we could modify the rule to prevent those midair falls: espn.com/nba/insider/st… (ESPN+) – 1:43 PM
CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Giannis Antetokounmpo injury update: Bucks star’s status upgraded ahead of Game 2 vs. Heat
cbssports.com/nba/news/giann… – 1:43 PM
Giannis Antetokounmpo injury update: Bucks star’s status upgraded ahead of Game 2 vs. Heat
cbssports.com/nba/news/giann… – 1:43 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Giannis upgraded from doubtful to questionable for Game 2. Tip at 9 ET. – 1:36 PM
Giannis upgraded from doubtful to questionable for Game 2. Tip at 9 ET. – 1:36 PM
Wes Goldberg @wcgoldberg
Giannis upgraded from doubtful to questionable for tonight’s game. So things trending toward him playing, but we’ll see. – 1:35 PM
Giannis upgraded from doubtful to questionable for tonight’s game. So things trending toward him playing, but we’ll see. – 1:35 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Giannis Antetokounmpo has been upgraded from doubtful to questionable for tonight vs. Heat. – 1:33 PM
Giannis Antetokounmpo has been upgraded from doubtful to questionable for tonight vs. Heat. – 1:33 PM
Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
So Giannis still doubtful at the moment for game 2
I don’t believe him playing or not playing changes the Heat’s starting lineup idea tonight, but it does shift the defensive structure obviously
Will be interesting to see the fluctuating coverages – 1:18 PM
So Giannis still doubtful at the moment for game 2
I don’t believe him playing or not playing changes the Heat’s starting lineup idea tonight, but it does shift the defensive structure obviously
Will be interesting to see the fluctuating coverages – 1:18 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Heat preparing for a barrage of three-point attempts from Bucks, especially if Giannis is out tonight.
Spoelstra: “I believe in one of the games, they basically shot 50 threes against us in a game that Giannis didn’t play. But regardless, they average over 40 threes a game.” – 1:10 PM
Heat preparing for a barrage of three-point attempts from Bucks, especially if Giannis is out tonight.
Spoelstra: “I believe in one of the games, they basically shot 50 threes against us in a game that Giannis didn’t play. But regardless, they average over 40 threes a game.” – 1:10 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Spoelstra’s says preparing for both scenarios with Giannis, who remains listed as doubtful due to back contusion. – 12:25 PM
Spoelstra’s says preparing for both scenarios with Giannis, who remains listed as doubtful due to back contusion. – 12:25 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
The Bucks may need to play Game 2 tonight vs. the Heat without Giannis. The latest on his status miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia… – 9:34 AM
The Bucks may need to play Game 2 tonight vs. the Heat without Giannis. The latest on his status miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia… – 9:34 AM
Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria
Now on @njdotcom
NBA Playoffs 2023:
What’s the latest on the health of Ja Morant and Giannis Antetokounmpo? nj.com/sports/2023/04… – 7:47 AM
Now on @njdotcom
NBA Playoffs 2023:
What’s the latest on the health of Ja Morant and Giannis Antetokounmpo? nj.com/sports/2023/04… – 7:47 AM
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
Giannis doesn’t practice, listed as doubtful for game 2 eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/14… – 7:01 AM
Giannis doesn’t practice, listed as doubtful for game 2 eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/14… – 7:01 AM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
🏀Draymond Green suspended
🏀Last night’s action
🏀Latest on Giannis & Ja Morant’s injuries
The Starting Lineup begins now!
📻Listen on Channel 86 https://t.co/AYipQpeyBw
📺Watch on the NBA App https://t.co/2EGWb8EO6Y pic.twitter.com/WdIuyKYm62 – 6:59 AM
🏀Draymond Green suspended
🏀Last night’s action
🏀Latest on Giannis & Ja Morant’s injuries
The Starting Lineup begins now!
📻Listen on Channel 86 https://t.co/AYipQpeyBw
📺Watch on the NBA App https://t.co/2EGWb8EO6Y pic.twitter.com/WdIuyKYm62 – 6:59 AM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Devin Booker’s 14th 30-point game in the postseason tonight ties him for the second most in the NBA since his playoff debut in 2021, per @Stathead. Luka Doncic also has 14. Giannis Antetokounmpo is at 20 (!) – 2:21 AM
Devin Booker’s 14th 30-point game in the postseason tonight ties him for the second most in the NBA since his playoff debut in 2021, per @Stathead. Luka Doncic also has 14. Giannis Antetokounmpo is at 20 (!) – 2:21 AM
More on this storyline
Jamal Collier: Without Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks just put up 81 points in the first half, the most points in a first half in franchise postseason history, per @ESPNStatsInfo They lead Miami 81-55 -via Twitter @JamalCollier / April 19, 2023
Jim Owczarski: Bobby Portis (#Bucks) & Duncan Robinson (#Heat) get the starts in place of Giannis Antetokounmpo & Tyler Herro tonight. -via Twitter @JimOwczarski / April 19, 2023
Jamal Collier: Giannis Antetokounmpo is OUT tonight, coach Mike Budenholzer says. -via Twitter @JamalCollier / April 19, 2023