The Miami Heat defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 113-104 on Wednesday night, with Caleb Martin scoring a career-high 28 points.
Martin started in place of Jimmy Butler, who was injured, and went 9 of 12 from the field, including 6 of 8 from 3-point range, as the Heat tied a team record with 22 3-pointers against the defending NBA champions.
Martin explained, “They put me in the starting lineup because they believe in me.” “When my chance arises, I intend to seize it.”
Miami stopped a three-game home losing streak with Kyle Lowry’s 22 points and 13 assists, and Max Strus scored all 16 of his points in the fourth quarter.
Martin explained, “We don’t like to be in the losing column.” “We were imprisoned.” You could tell we were desperate for a win.”
Miami outscored Milwaukee 69-53 in the second half after losing by 15 and 26 points in its previous two home games. In the remaining two periods, the Heat made 14 of 26 3-point attempts, including four each from Lowry and Strus.
For the Bucks, Jrue Holiday had 27 points and Khris Middleton had 20. Miami held two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to 4-of-13 shooting from the field, limiting him to 15 points.
Antetokounmpo stated, “We have to play tougher and close out as well.” “They also made several difficult (shots).” They worked harder and performed better than we did.”
With nine straight points in the final 55 seconds of the third, the Heat took the lead for good. Lowry’s three-pointers in a row, along with P.J. Tucker’s three-pointer at the buzzer, put Miami up 83-77. Tucker had a total of 15 points.
In Monday’s loss to Memphis, Butler, the Heat’s leading scorer, worsened an injury. Due to an injured tailbone, he had missed the previous four games.
Miami coach Erik Spoelstra remarked, “We’re going to need our entire roster to contribute.” “At different times, it’ll be different guys. We certainly had some different lineups out there.”
Milwaukee’s reserves were outscored 40-16 by Miami’s reserves.
Spoelstra remarked, “The second-unit guys really just gave us some exciting basketball out there.”
Milwaukee’s loss was the team’s second in the last 12 games.
Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer remarked, “Those players stood up and hit 22 3s as a team.” “They made the plays that allowed us to win, and we’ll give them credit for that.”
TIP-INS
G Bucks George Hill (right knee hyperextension) has missed three games in a row. Antetokounmpo stopped a shot and closed up on Alton Lister, the club’s all-time leading scorer with 804 points. Middleton scored 20 points for the sixth time in a row. When he scores 20 points, Milwaukee is 7-2.
Heat: Miami’s 51-44 halftime deficit was its first in three home games under double digits. Duncan Robinson played in his 173rd game in a row, trailing just Glen Rice for the most in club history. On April 9, 2019, Robinson began his streak.
UPDATE ON ADEBAYO
After undergoing surgery on his right thumb to repair a torn ligament on Monday in Los Angeles, Heat center Bam Adebayo is projected to miss four to six weeks. Adebayo suffered the injury in the team’s loss against Denver at home.
FAMILIAR ENEMIES
In their first 26 games, the Bucks and Heat have already met three times. Neither team has played the same opponent more than once. Milwaukee hosts their fourth and final regular-season matchup on March 2.
COMING UP NEXT
Bucks: Travel to Houston on Friday to continue their four-game road trip.
Heat: Play Chicago on Saturday to round up a three-game homestand.
