NBA: Bucks hope Giannis Antetokounmpo is available for Game 2 vs Heat

Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the basket through the first half of Recreation One of many Jap Convention First Spherical Playoffs in opposition to the Miami Warmth at Fiserv Discussion board on April 16, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Stacy Revere/Getty Pictures/AFP

Completely different X-rays might result in totally different availabilities when the Miami Warmth attempt to go up 2-0 on the street of their Jap Convention first-round playoff sequence in opposition to the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday evening.

A painful Recreation 1 on Sunday noticed each Warmth star guard Tyler Herro and Bucks’ MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo depart Miami’s 130-117 victory with accidents.

Herro has since been identified with a damaged proper hand. He’s anticipated to endure season-ending surgical procedure later this week.

“The most important factor is he had a smile on his face and he wasn’t discouraged about what occurred to him,” Warmth heart Bam Adebayo stated of Herro’s response to the X-rays. “I really feel like that’s the most important factor you may deliver to the workforce after a ‘W.’”

Miami coach Erik Spoelstra hasn’t introduced who will begin instead of his second-leading scorer. Caleb Martin, who began 49 of Miami’s first 59 video games through the common season, and Duncan Robinson, who began the second half of Recreation 1 in Herro’s place, are thought-about the main candidates.

Herro had 12 factors in 19 minutes Sunday, serving to the Warmth soar to a 68-55 lead by halftime.

The Bucks had misplaced Antetokounmpo effectively earlier than that. He suffered a decrease again/tailbone damage late within the first quarter and missed the remainder of the sport. He’s listed as uncertain for Recreation 2.

X-rays have been destructive, and Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer’s preliminary response was optimism about his celebrity presumably taking part in within the rematch.

“I’d say he’s nonetheless sore, however I believe progress and he’s getting some therapy and I believe we’ll simply proceed to observe him for the following 24 (hours), subsequent day or two,” Budenholzer stated Monday. “And possibly lucky that two days between video games. So I believe nonetheless principally constructive, principally optimistic, however we’ll see how he feels.”

Antetokounmpo had six factors and three rebounds in rather less than 11 minutes of motion in a sport the place the Bucks have been outshot 59.5 % to 49.5 %.

The massive distinction in capturing percentages was a results of Miami going 15-for-25 on 3-pointers, whereas the Bucks have been simply 11-for-45. Gabe Vincent (4-for-5) and Kevin Love (4-for-7) have been the Warmth’s high weapons from deep.

The 60-percent accuracy on threes was a season-best for the Warmth and equaled their second-best ever in a playoff sport. They shot 8-for-11 (72.7 %) in an extra time win at Toronto in 2016.

In the meantime, it additionally was a season-high allowed by the Bucks this 12 months and the best for the reason that Phoenix Suns scorched Milwaukee for 13-for-19 on threes (68.4 %) in Recreation 5 of the 2021 NBA Finals.

Jimmy Butler completed with 35 factors and Adebayo chipped in with 22 factors, 9 rebounds and 7 assists within the win, which was the Warmth’s third in 5 conferences with the Bucks this season, however their first in Milwaukee.

Khris Middleton had 33 factors and Jrue Vacation a 16-point, 16-assist double-double in a shedding trigger for the Bucks, who haven’t fallen behind 2-0 in a playoff sequence for the reason that 2021 Finals in opposition to the Suns, a best-of-seven Milwaukee received by sweeping the ultimate 4 video games.

Miami guard Kyle Lowry (left knee) is listed as questionable.

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