Brandon Jennings drops 31; Milwaukee Bucks stun Miami Heat again, 105-97 – NBA Recap
On Wednesday night, the Miami Heat entered the Bradley Centre, raring to avenge their loss against the Milwaukee Bucks in the first of the three game series.
The way, Heat started, it certainly looked that the Bucks were in for a mauling. LeBron James hammered 24 points in the first quarter alone as Miami jumped out a 40-23 lead. The Heat shot 14 of the total 17 shots from the field in the first quarter, which they ended with a 11-2 spurt.
James scored the last points of the frame to end with 24 points, the highest any player have scored in a single quarter this season.
Bucks however started to turn the tide in the second quarter, which they opened on an eight point unanswered run to close the gap at 31-40. Heat responded swiftly though and set off for another 11-2 spurt to make it 51-33, enroute to a 60-47 first half advantage.
After the break, the game changed completely.
Keyed by two three’s by point guard Brandon Jennings, the Bucks carved out a 15-4 burst, in a little over four minutes, to make it a two point game, 62-64. Miami were reckless during that span. They missed their first four efforts from the floor and then committed three turnovers on a trot to let go of their initiative.
Dwyane Wade and James strived to get the Heat back in the front, 75-68, but the Bucks pulled away with a 30-7 run - capped by two consecutive treys from Jennings - connecting the third and the best part of the fourth quarter.
With 4:25 to go, Heat, who once led by as many as 18 points, were staring at a 16 point hole and from there, even they could not mount a comeback. The Bucks played time beautifully and ensured that 1/3rd of Miami’s losses in the season came at their hands, this one at 105-97.
James ended the game with a season high 40 points along with 8 rebounds and 5 assists while Dwyane Wade had 23. Mario Chalmers (16) was the only other Miami player in double scoring figures.
The Bucks, who have now won three games in a row, were led by 31 points, including 7 shots from distance, and 8 assists from Jennings, who literally turned the game around all on his own. Drew Gooden also added 17 points and nine rebounds for Scott Skiles’ team.
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