Bucks neutralize Heat sans Antetokounmpo to level series

LOS ANGELES – The Milwaukee Bucks barely noticed the injury absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo as they thrashed the Miami Heat, 138-122, to level their series at one game apiece Wednesday (Thursday, Manila time).

With the talismanic Antetokounmpo missing after suffering a lower-back contusion in Sunday's Game 1 defeat, the top-seeded Bucks delivered a balanced offensive effort to overwhelm Miami.

The Bucks led from early in the first quarter and never looked back, sprinting out of reach after outscoring Miami 45-27 in the second quarter to lead by a whopping 81-55 at half-time.

Milwaukee kept the scoring up in the third quarter, extending their lead to 36 points at one stage to make victory a formality.

Brook Lopez led the way for Milwaukee with 25 points while Jrue Holiday added 24 points as no fewer than seven Bucks players finished in double figures.

"All season long guys have been in and out of the lineup, different guys have been stepping up and having those moments," said the Bucks' Bobby Portis, who finished with 13 points, 15 rebounds and five assists. 

"Playoffs is all about moments, and we've got guys capable of having those moments. We've just got to keep it rolling," Portis added.

Milwaukee did severe damage from outside the arc, shooting an astounding 25-of-49 from three-point range to tie an NBA playoff record.

Jimmy Butler led the Miami scorers with 25 points while Bam Adebayo finished with 18.

Two-time reigning MVP Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets, meanwhile, sought to extend their series lead over Minnesota when they hosted the Timberwolves in game two of their Western Conference clash.