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Eric WoodyardESPN
Snow may fall from the sky back into Milwaukee, but on Tuesday night in Miami, the Bucks were raining from beyond the arc.
Milwaukee set the NBA record in a single game for 3-point field goals, with 29 in a 144-97 victory over the Heat.
The only Bucks player to play in the game and not shoot down a trey was MVP and Defensive Player of the Year Giannis Antetokounmpo. His nine points were the lowest since December 22, 2018, when he posted nine points on AmericanAirlines Arena, this time in a loss to Bucks.
Two years later, the results were very different, as the Bucks blew the Heat on the first night of a back-to-back series in Miami. Their 47-point gain was equal to third in size compared to an incumbent conference champion, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. He also equaled for the biggest home loss in Miami in the team’s history.
“Some nights, the basketball gods are with you a little bit and it’s probably one of those nights for us,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said.
Milwaukee finished 29-for-51 (56.9%) behind the arc in the biggest road victory in franchise history.
Sam Merrill broke the 28th Milwaukee trey record at 6:07 in the fourth – beating the Houston Rockets’ 27-set mark on April 7, 2019, against the visiting Phoenix Suns – but didn’t find out what he did until after the buzzer. the final.
“It’s exciting. I happened to be in the right place at the right time, I happened to make the shot,” he said. “The way I shot him on Sunday night [in a 20-point loss against the Knicks], we kind of felt like we were having a great night of filming tonight. It’s pretty crazy how everyone filmed it, so it was a lot of fun. “
Miami played without leader Jimmy Butler, who was ruled out with a sprained right ankle. Milwaukee native Tyler Herro led the Heat with 23 points and seven assists.
All-Star winger Khris Middleton continued his strong start for the Bucks with 25 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds at 10-for-13 while hitting 4-of-5 3s. In the first four games, Middleton has an average of 26.7 points.
“It’s great to see, but I think that shows confidence in Giannis that he doesn’t have to let his head down and try to create the crime himself,” Middleton said. “He realizes he has gunshots around him. If these guys see a lot or two, three guys around him, he can find that man open.”
In addition to playing a tough defense, Jrue Holiday added 24 points with seven assists while going 6-for-10 on 3s. Brook Lopez beat three 3s with 14 points.
As the Bucks (2-2) approached the record near the end of the fourth quarter, both Middleton and Lopez caught the wind of opportunity through a strength and conditioning coach on the sidelines.
Although the victory was more important, it was a wonderful time to live together.
“I’ll be honest, I had my fingers crossed a little bit because it’s a great record, but I was happy to see all our guys clicking, moving and splitting the ball altruistically and the ball coming in,” Lopez said.