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Eric WoodyardESPN
Snow may have fallen from the sky in Milwaukee, but in Miami on Tuesday night, the Bucks were raining beyond the arch.
Milwaukee set the NBA record in a single 3-point field goal game, with 29 in the 144-97 victory over the Heat.
The only Bucks player to play in the game and not drop a trey was MVP and Defensive Player of the Year Giannis Antetokounmpo. His nine points were the lowest since December 22, 2018, when he also scored nine points at the AmericanAirlines Arena, this time in a Bucks defeat.
Two years later, the results were very different, as the Bucks ended the Heat on the first night of a consecutive series in Miami. His 47-point win tied for the third-largest against a conference champion, according to the ESPN Stats & Information poll. He also drew in the biggest Miami home loss 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,” said Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer.
Milwaukee finished 29 by 51 (56.9%) behind the arc in the biggest road win in the franchise’s history.
Sam Merrill drilled the 28th Milwaukee test at 6:07 am on the fourth – breaking the 27 mark set by the Houston Rockets on April 7, 2019 – but did not find out what he had done until after the final bell.
“It’s exciting. It happened to be in the right place at the right time, it happened to make the shot,” he said. “The way we shot it on Sunday night [in a 20-point loss against the Knicks], we kind of felt like we were going to have a great night of filming tonight. It’s really crazy the way everyone filmed, so it was really fun. “
Miami was playing 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 in 10-to-13 shots while hitting 4-of-5 3s. In the first four games, Middleton has averaged 26.7 points.
“It’s great to see, but I think it shows confidence in Giannis that he doesn’t have to bow his head and try to create the attack on his own,” said Middleton. “He realizes that he has snipers around him.” If these guys see one or two people, 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 making 6-10 in 3s. Brook Lopez hit three 3s with 14 points.
As the Bucks (2-2) approached the record near the end of the fourth period, both Middleton and Lopez realized the possibility through a strength and conditioning coach on the sideline.
Although the victory was more important, it was a great moment for us to experience together.
“I’ll be honest, I crossed my fingers a bit because it’s a cool record, but I was happy to see all of our guys clicking, moving and sharing the ball altruously and the ball coming in,” said Lopez.