Author: Monojit Mandal
Jimmy Butler of the Heat set a new playoff record with 56 points to lead his team to a 119-114 victory over the Bucks in Game 4 of the first round. The eighth seed currently holds a comfortable 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Butler was on fire throughout the game, hitting 19 of 28 shots, including a critical 3-point basket with less than a minute to play to put the Heat ahead. He also surpassed LeBron James’ old franchise record of 49 matchpoints in a playoff game against the Brooklyn Nets in 2014. Butler’s 56 points made him the fourth highest in an NBA playoff game, behind only Michael Jordan and Wilt-Chamberlain.
Bucks, who had been feeling Giannis’ absence due to a sore back in the previous two games, welcomed him back to the team, and he didn’t disappoint, finishing with 26 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds. Brook Lopez also had a good game for the Bucks, with 36 points and 11 rebounds. However, they were unable to overcome Heat.
For Miami, Bam Adebayo had 15 points and eight rebounds, while Caleb Martin had 12 points. The Heat didn’t take the lead until the end of the fourth quarter, when Butler’s heroics lifted them to a lead they would hold for the rest of the game.
The Bucks led for most of the game, winning 101-89 after Lopez’s dunk with just over six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. The Heat, however, turned the game around, scoring 13 points to take the lead. Butler’s scoring ability was essential in the Heat’s comeback, as he scored 21 points in the fourth quarter alone.
The Heat will now have the chance to win the series in Game 5 on Wednesday night in Milwaukee. If the Bucks want to extend the series and have any hope, they’ll need to bounce back soon.
To sum up, Butler’s record effort put the Heat in command of the series, while demonstrating his remarkable skill as a player. With the playoffs in full swing, it will be interesting to see how the rest of the series unfolds and which side wins.