Miami Heat 2020-21 Season Rewind: Payback Over Milwaukee Bucks

Miami Heat 2020-21 Season Rewind: Finishing The Job

Things didn’t calm a ton in the second half.

Second Half

Within the first-three minutes of the third period, Milwaukee imposed their will on the interior, opening a 12-2 run within the first three minutes. There was a more aggressive display from Antetokounmpo, who entered the paint at his own will, while even knocking down a pair of three-pointers.

However, the Heat stayed the course and a much-needed light switch had flipped on for Tyler Herro. The former Kentucky guard immediately answered the Bucks’ run with a 17-foot pull-up jumper, along the way to playing in all twelve minutes of the third.

Herro led all Heat scorers in the third quarter with 13 points and three of them coming from a 25-foot leaner, courtesy of Kelly Olynyk, to beat the end-of-quarter buzzer. Miami outscored Milwaukee, 37-35 in that period.

In the fourth quarter, the Heat played as if a win was needed and indeed it was. They executed offensively and had a much greater sense of urgency.

Dragic opened the fourth with a three-pointer to tie the game at 91, as Miami led by as many as 15 — en route to their largest lead of the night. Evidently, the Bucks were out of gas, as they were outplayed and worn down by a physically-motivated Heat defense.

Milwaukee was held to just 23 percent shooting and with five turnovers in the fourth. With such, a 119-108 final score was manifested in the, then, American Airlines Arena.

It’s encouraging to look back at this performance as a symbol of retaliation. The Heat could’ve easily rolled over and allowed Milwaukee to defeat them on their home floor.

They didn’t, as the Heat improved to a regular season record of 2-2. A win was earned, in what you should call, a moral uplift.

They’ll need all this good energy as they look to open the year against these same Bucks. That’s only the tip of the iceberg for what’s sure to be a revealing opening week, but again, these are the moments that allow you to believe that they are capable of anything.