A Strong Start From Max Strus And Big Finish By Jimmy Butler Lead Miami Heat Past Chicago Bulls

The Miami Heat advanced to play the Milwaukee Bucks in first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs

The Miami Heat had an unfamiliar hero lead them in the first half. 

In the second half, they turned it over to their Mr. Reliable in the clutch. Max Strus opened with a 23-point first half and Jimmy Butler finished strong to lead the Heat to a 102-91 victory Friday against the Chicago Bulls in the play-in tournament. They advance to play the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round Sunday at Fiserv Forum. 

Strus and Butler each scored 31 points to lead the way, setting up a Heat and Bucks series for the third time in four postseasons.

The Heat won in 2020 on their way to losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals. The following year the Bucks won in a sweep.

Here's a look at how they fared against each other when they split four regular season games this season:

Jan. 12:

Gabe Vincent scored 28 points to lead the Heat to a 108-102 victory in Miami. The Heat played without starters Kyle Lowry, Caleb Martin and Tyler Herro because of injury, but also got big games from Jimmy Butler (17 points and 11 rebounds) and Bam Adebayo (24 points and 12 rebounds).

Jrue Holiday had 24 points and 11 assists to keep things close despite playing without Giannis Antetokounmpo, Grayson Allen, Khris Middleton, Serge Ibaka and Joe Ingles.

Jan. 14:

It was basically a repeat of the previous game, with Vincent scoring 27 points to lead the Heat to a 111-95 victory in Miami. Antetokounmpo missed his second straight game with knee soreness.

Victor Oladipo had 20 points for the Heat and Butler added 16.

Feb. 4:

Antetokounmpo made his debut in the series with 35 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists in the Bucks' 123-115 victory in Milwaukee.

Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro combined for 56 points but the Heat couldn't overcome the absences of Kyle Lowry and Oladipo to injury.

Feb 24:

Even with Antetokounmpo leaving early with a knee injury, the Bucks captured an easy 128-99 victory. It was the most lopsided game of the series.

Jrue Holiday led the Bucks with 24 points. The Heat shot just 9 of 40 from the 3-point line.

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Shandel Richardson covers the Miami Heat for Inside The Heat.

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