The Milwaukee Bucks (9-9) survived a late Miami Heat (7-8) rally to escape with a 106-103 win on November 27. The Heat trimmed the deficit to one multiple times in the fourth but the Bucks’ sharpshooting from deep proved decisive, securing their fifth straight win and seventh in their last eight games. Milwaukee also remains flawless in the NBA Cup, improving to 3-0.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined due to swelling in his left knee, Damian Lillard stepped up in a big way, dropping 37 points on a blistering 8-of-13 shooting from three-point range, hitting all 9 of his free throws and dishing out 12 assists. Four other Bucks players scored in double digits.
Jimmy Butler paced the Heat with 23 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists while Tyler Herro added 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. Bam Adebayo finished with 16 points. Terry Rozier, who returned from a right foot injury, had 17.
Lillard’s Hot Start Catapulted the Bucks to the Win
Lillard set the game on fire right from the tip, hitting four straight three-pointers and putting the Bucks up 19-9. He exploded for 17 points in the first quarter alone, putting his team up by 11 points. Miami mounted a challenge in the second but Milwaukee kept pouring it on, stretching their lead to as much as 18 points with their hot shooting.
Lillard looked to run away with the game, extending the Bucks’ lead to (76-54) in the third. But Butler came alive and Larsson delivered big plays, sparking a furious 20-5 rally to bring them back into the game. The fourth was a seesaw battle but Rozier took the spotlight, pouring in 13 points, including a clutch three that cut the deficit to (103-104). Herro had a shot at stealing the win but couldn’t convert the last shot.
The Bucks face the Wizards on Sunday while the Heat challenge the Hornets tomorrow.
