Bucks Zone

What we learned from the Milwaukee Bucks 131-124 win over the Miami Heat

Khris Middleton and Damian Lillard were clutch in crunchtime.

Jonas Panerio

© Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
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The Milwaukee Bucks made all the right plays down the stretch to defeat the Miami Heat, 131-124, and come away as the winner of the East’s Group B. Here are two takeaways from the thrilling encounter between two of the East’s best.

Know how to win tight ballgames

The Bucks’ difficulties in scoring buckets in close ballgames in seasons past have been well documented. That’s part of the reason why they made the trade to acquire Damian Lillard in the offseason. On Tuesday night, Lillard delivered once again, scoring two straight triples, including one to tie the game at 118-all. He also calmly sank three free-throws down the stretch to raise the Bucks’ lead to five, 127-122, time down to 1:03.

“Dame Time” was in full effect in Miami as the seven-time All-Star finished with 32 points, 13 of which came in the fourth quarter.

“The one thing that we do have going for us is we know how to win the game,” Lillard said. “We know how to do the things to win a game.”

Khris is clutch

Back in uniform after missing the last game due to Achilles tendonitis, veteran wingman Khris Middleton reminded everyone why he’s a three-time All-Star. Middleton scored 17 points, including two straight midrange jumpers that pushed the Bucks ahead, 122-118. He also issued a nifty assist to big man Brook Lopez for an easy slam dunk that gave Milwaukee a 129-124 lead with just 38 seconds to go.

Aside from the 17 points, Khris also had eight boards and two assists in 23 minutes of action.

The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat to advance to the knockout round of NBA Cup

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Jonas Panerio
JONAS PANERIO