It might be an overstatement to say that Game 2 on Wednesday night was a must-win for the Milwaukee Bucks against the Miami Heat.
But, after losing Game 1 and without two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo due to a back injury suffered in that defeat, it was pretty important for Milwaukee not to fall into a 0-2 deficit.
The Bucks came out with a sense of urgency and scorched the nets from long range to earn an easy,138-122 victory that evened the seven-game series.
Brook Lopez thrives in scoring role
Antetokounmpo was ruled out before the game, and the Bucks made a concerted effort early to feed the ball to 7-foot center Brook Lopez.
He posted up on Milwaukee’s first possession and threw down a dunk. He had another emphatic slam that gave the Bucks a 24-15 lead. After banking in a shot at the buzzer, Lopez had 14 points on 7-for-9 shooting.
Lopez had 19 points in the first half and finished with 25.
Bucks’ 3-point shooting improves
The Bucks probably figured their 3-point shooting would improve from an 11-for-45 performance in Game 1.
Khris Middleton cashed in back-to-back triples in the second quarter to give the Bucks a 51-37 lead. Milwaukee was 7 of 12 from long range at that point to set the tone for a hot night.
Pat Connaughton came off the bench to knock down three 3-pointers in the first half, and his triple from the left corner gave Milwaukee a 62-41 advantage.
Joe Ingles added back-to-back threes to give Milwaukee a 75-43 lead and blow the game wide open.
The Bucks finished the first half 12 for 21 (57.1%) from behind the arc. Jrue Holiday also had three 3-pointers and scored 21 points in the first half.
Milwaukee made a franchise playoff record 25 3-pointers. That also tied an NBA mark for 3-pointers in a playoff game.
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Nuggets 122, Timberwolves 113
DENVER (AP) – Jamal Murray scored 40 points and Michael Porter Jr. had 13 of his 16 in the fourth quarter, powering the Denver Nuggets past the Minnesota Timberwolves 122-113 on Wednesday night for a 2-0 lead in the NBA playoff series.
Nikola Jokic added 27 points, nine assists and nine rebounds for the Nuggets, who blew an early 21-point lead and trailed 89-87 heading into the fourth quarter.
Anthony Edwards had 41 points for the Wolves, who shot a sizzling 81% in the third quarter to erase a 64-59 halftime deficit.
Minnesota had shot just 39% in the first half, just slightly better than it did in a 29-point loss in the series opener Sunday night.
“They shot 80% in the third quarter – 80%!” Denver coach Michael Malone fumed on TNT after watching the Timberwolves make 17 of 21 shots. “So, we didn’t play any defense. That’s what happened!”
The series shifts to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday night.
The Nuggets recovered during a thrilling fourth quarter that began with Porter scoring eight straight points – on a four-point play, a reverse layup and two free throws – but the Nuggets couldn’t shake the energized Wolves, who clawed back and went ahead 99-98 on an Edwards’ jumper.
Porter replied with a 3-pointer that restored Denver’s lead for good.
