Milwaukee Bucks Make an NBA record 29 3-pointers in 144-97 victory against the Miami Heat

Without Jimmy Butler, the Miami Heat lose big against Milwaukee Bucks

The Miami Heat learned how difficult life is without All-Star Jimmy Butler. 

Or maybe a healthy Butler wouldn't have mattered Tuesday night. The Milwaukee Bucks made an NBA record 29 3-pointers in a 144-97 victory at AmericanAirlines Arena. It was the first of back-to-back games for the team. They play again Wednesday. 

“Probably the first 15 or so felt like they were right in their wheelhouse," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "Open shots in rhythm where they didn’t feel us. We weren’t making the extra effort to make them put the ball on the floor. Then they got on a roll. It was a heck of a shooting performance. They hit some that were contested in the second half, but they had more than enough that were right in rhythm and off good execution or a good extra pass. They made us pay.”

Butler was sidelined with an ankle injury he sustained in the first half of last Friday's victory against the New Orleans Pelicans. Butler, who missed the second half, hasn't practiced since. 

It was the first meeting between the teams since the Heat upset the top-seeded Bucks in the second round of last season's Eastern Conference playoffs. The Bucks made sure to get their revenge. They led 115-75 at the end of the third quarter. 

Forward Khris Middleton led the Bucks with 25 points on 10 of 13 shooting.  Every Milwaukee player hit a 3-pointer except two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Guard Jrue Holiday made a team-high six from the arc on the way to 24 points. 

“I feel like we didn’t come out with the intensity we usually have, so I can agree with coach on that," center Bam Adebayo said. "Like I said earlier, they were making shots and we were turning the ball over.” 

The 3-point barrage helped offset a slow night from Antetokounmpo, who finished with just nine points on 3 of 9 shooting. The Heat were led by second-year guard Tyler Herro's 23 points. 

“I think just making second efforts," Herro said of the defensive issues. Making that extra effort to be in the paint to stop Giannis from getting downhill and then getting out to the three-point line to stop the shooters. It’s not easy. They have a very dynamic team where they can shoot and also put it in the paint. Tomorrow we’ll have to come out with a lot more energy or we’ll get embarrassed again.” 

Spoelstra declined to say if Butler would be ready for Wednesday's game. They are evaluating him on a daily basis. Avery Bradley added 14 points off the bench.

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