Jimmy Butler conjured up one other magical efficiency because the Miami Warmth despatched the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks to a sensational NBA playoff elimination Wednesday with a nerve-racking time beyond regulation win.
Butler, who scored 56 factors in a surprising Sport 4 victory Monday, as soon as once more led Miami’s offense with 42 factors because the eighth-seeded Warmth received 128-126 to seal a 4-1 collection triumph.
It is solely the sixth time in NBA historical past that an eighth-seeded workforce has eradicated a No. 1 seed from the playoffs.
The Bucks, who completed the common season atop the Japanese Convention with one of the best report within the NBA, had been left grieving one other fourth-quarter collapse as Miami celebrated earlier than a shocked Milwaukee house crowd on the Fiserv Discussion board.
Milwaukee, which had blown a double-digit lead in Monday’s Sport 4 loss at Miami, led by 16 factors early within the fourth quarter Wednesday.
However with a win within the offing that may have saved the collection alive, the Bucks’ fragility was uncovered but once more as Miami fell away from the lead.
The Warmth outscored Milwaukee 32-16 within the fourth quarter, with Butler grabbing a staggering alley-oop to tie the sport at 118-118 with simply 0.5 seconds remaining forcing time beyond regulation.
“We had been resilient, we had been late, it appeared like that so much throughout this collection, however we held on, made some stops, made some huge buckets,” Butler mentioned.
The Miami star mentioned his exceptional run of kind had been impressed by his teammates.
“No matter it takes to win, it might be 40 (factors), it might be 50, I’ve to have the ability to do all of it,” Butler mentioned.
His Miami teammate Gabe Vincent, whose elegant cross arrange Butler’s game-tying shot on the finish of regulation, mentioned Miami’s plan had been easy: “Simply get the ball to Jimmy… get him the ball.” ball to Buckets and let him do what he needs.” do.”
Milwaukee’s disintegration within the closing levels was underscored by a determined try to tie it late in time beyond regulation when Grayson Allen did not shoot on the buzzer.
Milwaukee’s poor night time was additionally mirrored of their dismal free throw taking pictures, going simply 28 of 45 from the free throw line. Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo made simply 10 of 23 free throws.
Nonetheless, Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer refused to level a finger.
“There’s plenty of disappointment when your season ends, regardless of the way it occurs,” Budenholzer mentioned. “It is a powerful feeling, it is a disappointing feeling. However I consider and I belief these guys. All of us should be higher.”
– Knicks advance, Grizzlies win –
Miami will now face the New York Knicks within the Japanese Convention semifinals.
The Knicks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 106-95 to finish a 4-1 collection victory early Wednesday.
Jalen Brunson scored 23 factors and RJ Barrett 21 because the Knicks produced a scientific wire-to-wire victory en path to reserving their spot within the subsequent spherical.
The win was New York’s first playoff collection victory since 2013.
Needing a win to remain alive on their house courtroom, Cleveland was left chasing the sport after the Knicks took a 33-26 lead late within the first quarter.
The Cavs had been by no means capable of overcome that deficit as New York closed out with a composite victory.
In the meantime, within the Western Convention, Ja Morant led a terrific second half because the Memphis Grizzlies saved their playoff marketing campaign alive with a 116-99 win over LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Morant led a devastating 19-2 run to shut out the third quarter that successfully sealed the win for the Grizzlies, who led 94-76 heading into the fourth.
Morant completed with 31 factors and 10 assists on 13-of-26 taking pictures, whereas Desmond Bane led Memphis scoring with 33 factors as Memphis reduce the Lakers’ collection result in 3-2.
Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 31 factors, however James had an evening to neglect, taking pictures simply 5 of 17 for 15 factors.
“It isn’t about what AD and I are doing, it is about how we are able to win basketball video games,” James mentioned afterward. “And tonight I used to be shit, I will be higher within the sixth sport.”
Within the different Western Convention sport on Wednesday, the Golden State Warriors battled to a 123-116 win over the Sacramento Kings that leaves the NBA champions only one win away from clinching their collection.
The Warriors can e-book their spot within the subsequent spherical with a victory in sport six at their house courtroom in San Francisco on Friday.
Stephen Curry scored 31 factors whereas Klay Thompson added 25, together with 5 3-pointers. Andrew Wiggins added 25 factors.