Damian Lillard delivered a masterclass performance, dropping 37 points and dishing out 12 assists, as the Milwaukee Bucks survived a late Miami Heat rally to secure a 106-103 victory in NBA Cup action on Tuesday night.
The win extends Milwaukee’s streak to five games and brings their season record to an even 9-9, marking the first time they’ve hit .500 since their 1-1 start.
Brook Lopez contributed 13 points, while Bobby Portis added 11 off the bench, providing crucial support for Lillard as the Bucks maintained their unbeaten 3-0 record in East Group B. The victory also pushes Milwaukee half a game ahead of Detroit in the group standings, solidifying their control over the top spot.
The Bucks appeared to be cruising after building a 22-point second-half lead, but the Heat, led by Jimmy Butler, mounted a furious comeback. Butler tallied 23 points, and Miami clawed back to tie the game at 96-96 on a layup from their star forward. Despite cutting the deficit to a single point on three separate occasions, the Heat were unable to seize the lead.
Tyler Herro added 18 points for Miami, while Terry Rozier and Bam Adebayo chipped in with 17 and 16 points, respectively. However, the Heat’s struggles from beyond the arc proved costly. Outscored 60-30 from three-point range, Miami fell to 1-2 in Cup play, placing their hopes of advancing to the next round in jeopardy.
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A critical moment came late in the fourth quarter when Milwaukee’s AJ Green drained back-to-back three-pointers, both answering Heat buckets that had cut the lead to one. Green’s clutch shooting gave the Bucks leads of 101-97 and 104-100, providing just enough cushion to withstand Miami’s final push.
Milwaukee’s defense also played a pivotal role, particularly in the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was a late scratch due to swelling in his left knee. The Bucks adjusted on the fly, leaning heavily on Lillard’s offensive brilliance and timely contributions from their supporting cast.
Lillard’s 37-point outing was historic in its own right. It marked the 30th time in his career he has recorded at least 35 points and 10 assists, tying him with Allen Iverson for ninth-most in NBA history. Oscar Robertson remains the all-time leader with 121 such performances, a testament to the elite company Lillard continues to keep.
For Miami, the loss highlighted a troubling trend. The Heat have now faced deficits of 22 points or more in two of their first seven home games this season, a stark contrast to last year when such occurrences happened only six times across 41 home contests.
Lillard’s 37 points also represent the second-highest scoring output by a Bucks player against Miami in regular-season play, trailing only Mo Williams’ 38-point performance in 2007. His ability to take over games in critical moments continues to be a driving force for Milwaukee as they look to build momentum in both the NBA Cup and the regular season.
Looking ahead, the Bucks will return home to host the Washington Wizards on Saturday, aiming to extend their winning streak and further cement their position atop East Group B. Meanwhile, the Heat will travel to Charlotte on Wednesday, hoping to bounce back and keep their NBA Cup hopes alive.
As Milwaukee continues to find its rhythm, particularly with Lillard leading the way, the Bucks are emerging as a formidable contender in the NBA Cup. With Giannis’ return looming, the potential for this team to reach new heights grows with each passing game.