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Giannis Antetokounmpo was ruled out in the 1st quarter as the Milwaukee Bucks start their playoff campaign with a loss to the Miami Heat.
The Milwaukee Bucks suffered a 117-130 loss at home to the Miami Heat in Game 1 of a first-round Eastern Conference match-up on Sunday, April 16, 2023.
The Bucks finished the regular season with the best record in the Eastern Conference and the league to book their spot in the playoffs.
The Heat finished seventh in the regular season but lost their first play-in fixture to the Atalanta Hawks before claiming the eighth seed with a victory against the Chicago Bulls.
The Bucks started slow and paid the price against a Heat that were steady in the first quarter to establish a nine-point lead.
The Bucks tried to claw their way back in the second quarter but the Heat answered their run extending their advantage to 11 at the halftime break.
The third quarter was back and forth between two determined teams but the Bucks were not able to go on an extended run.
With a 12-point cushion, the Heat made all the hustle plays in the fourth quarter to preserve their lead and hold on for an 11point blow out victory
Giannis Antetokounmpo injured in Bucks loss to the Heat
Greek-Nigerian professional basketball player Giannis Sina Antetokounmpo suffered a nasty injury playing for the Bucks against the Heat.
After suffering a lower back contusion near the conclusion of the first quarter, Antetokounmpo was unable to continue in the Bucks' game against the Heat.
The two-time NBA MVP abruptly landed on his back following contact with Kevin Love on a drive to the basket.
The star forward left the game to get treatment in the dressing room, came back with a wrap around his lower back with 9:56 left in the second quarter, and finally checked back in before leaving the game permanently at 8:33.
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Before getting hurt, Antetokounmpo recorded six points, three rebounds, and two made shots in 11 minutes of play.
Jimmy Butler inspires Miami Heat to victory in Game 1
Despite the injury to Antetokounmpo, Jimmy Butler was at the peak of his powers to guide the Heat to a victory against the Bucks.
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Butler after a sensational performance to help the Heat book a playoff spot followed it up with a masterful shot-making display to clinch a road win.
The veteran forward led the game in scoring with 35 points and contributed five rebounds, three steals, and 11 assists in 43 minutes of action.
Butler made 15 of his 27 shots, missed one attempt from three-point range, and was five of eight from the free-throw line.
Nigerian stars Femi Adebayo and Gabe Vincent shine for Miami Heat
American professional basketball player of Nigerian descent Femi Adebayo was again a big presence in the paint for the Heat against the Bucks.
In an all-around game, Adebayo dropped 22 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, and two steals.
He made 10 of his 18 shots and was two of three from the free-throw line in 33 minutes of action.
Nigerian basketball star Gabe Vincent Nnamdi also was huge for the Heat in the victory against the Bucks.
Retaining his starting spot, Vincent dropped 15 points, two rebounds, and six assists in 34 minutes of action.
He made five of his six shots in an efficient outing featuring four of his five from three-point range including the dagger late in the game.
The Heat now aim to steal a second road win against the Bucks likely without Antetokounmpo for the next fixture scheduled for Wednesday, April 19, 2023.
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