Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
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Solid play earns win over Bucks, Antetokounmpo
MIAMI — This is the version of the Miami Heat that drew the early-season acclaim.
The rendition that had six representatives during All-Star Weekend.
The one that had some viewing Erik Spoelstra’s team as the most legitimate challenger to the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Monday night at AmericanAirlines Arena, all of those possibilities were on display, as the Heat pushed past Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks 105-89.
That 1-5 western swing? On this night, it felt like distant memory.
Those hideous recent losses to the Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves? Apparently merely a matter of growing steeled to challenges ahead.
Like most of the Heat’s recent games, there was a sizable fourth-quarter lead, this time with the Heat moving to the game’s largest lead to that point at 92-79 with 5:14 to play.
Unlike those recent games, the Heat this time left nothing to chance, Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer emptying his bench with 3:42 to play at the Heat up 16.
As it was during those best of early-season times, it was ensemble success for the Heat. There were 18 points from Jimmy Butler, 18 from Jae Crowder, 15 from Goran Dragic and 14 from Bam Adebayo.
For the Bucks, Antetokounmpo closed with 13 points and 15 rebounds, with Brook Lope leading Milwaukee with 21 points.
Five Degrees of Heat from Monday’s game:
The Heat scored 33 of their 53 first-half points from beyond the arc, shooting 11 of 20 from that distance.
To put into perspective how 3-centric the early offense was, the Heat shot 6 of 12 on 3-pointers in the second period, a quarter when they also shot 1 of 9 on two-point attempts.
Through it all, Duncan Robinson was able to launch only a single 3-point attempt, which he missed, in the first half.
Yes, the Bucks game-planned against him, with Khris Middleton practically face guarding.
“Our offense is becoming a lot more sophisticated because of many of the actions he generates for our team,” Spoelstra said.
Robinson then converted three 3-pointers early in the third quarter.
Crowder made his first four 3-point attempts, including one that came as part of a four-point play. He closed the first half 5 of 7 from beyond the arc.
It was the seventh time in 10 appearances with the Heat that Crowder converted at least three 3-pointers. He had done so only once in his final 11 appearances with the Memphis Grizzlies before being acquired at the Feb. 6 NBA trading deadline.
The Heat stayed with Derrick Jones Jr. in the starting lineup. That had him opening defensively against Antetokounmpo.
Had Kelly Olynyk started, the Heat could have played him on Brook Lopez and Adebayo on Antetokounmpo, which would have meant risking Adebayo foul trouble.
As it is, the Heat cycled through a variety of Antetokounmpo defenders, including Adebayo, Butler, Crowder and Andre Iguodala.
“He continues to evolve as a pro, as a great player,” Spoelstra said of Antetokounmpo.
Spoelstra was well aware of what the Heat were up against in the league-leading Bucks.
“They play as well and as consistently as you can play on both ends of the ball,” he said. “That’s why they have a great record. They have an MVP. They have a bunch of players around that have a lot of talent. They can attack you in transition, in the paint, and from three. And the majority of them were with them last year, on that run.”
Of playing a team at such a level, Spoelstra said, “You want your team to embrace competition and be aware of when a really good team is coming into town. If you’re a real competitor, you want to step up to that challenge.”
The Bucks’ length clearly impacted Adebayo, who close 5 of 15 with five turnovers, But he never let up on the boards, a significant factor against that Milwaukee length, closing with 12 rebounds, as well as five assists.