76ers Playoff Watch: A Stunner In South Beach

Following the Philadelphia 76ers’ sweep over the Brooklyn Nets, the Miami Heat and the Milwaukee Bucks suited up to take the court down in Miami.

So far, the battle between the Heat and the Bucks has involved quite a few key injuries stemming from Game 1.

During the first quarter of the Game 1 matchup, the Bucks lost their MVP-caliber big man Giannis Antetokounmpo as he suffered an apparent back injury. After taking a hard fall, Giannis left the game without a return.

On Miami’s side, the veteran sharpshooter Tyler Herro suffered a hand injury, which took him off the court before the second half without a return.

Herro was diagnosed with a broken hand, which required surgery to repair. Antetokounmpo’s injury didn’t seem as severe as the Bucks didn’t rule him out for the series, but he has yet to take the floor since the first quarter of round one.

Although Antetokounmpo was questionable heading into Game 3 on Sunday, the Bucks held him out once again. This time around, the Bucks struggled to fill the void of his absence.

Jimmy Butler and the Heat were ready to issue a beatdown on Saturday. Checking in for just 28 minutes, Butler put up 30 points along with four assists and five rebounds.

Meanwhile, Heat reserve Duncan Robinson reminded the basketball world that he’s able to catch fire from beyond the arc. In 23 minutes of action, Robinson let six threes fly, knocking down all but one of his attempts. He finished the game with 20 points.

In the closing minutes of Saturday’s Game 3 between Miami and Milwaukee, both teams let their deep reserves pick up some minutes as the Bucks threw in the towel. With a 121-99 win, the eighth-seeded Heat takes a 2-1 lead over the East’s top dogs, the Bucks.

The series will resume for Game 4 on Monday night.

Eastern Conference Scoreboard

1. Bucks vs. 8. Heat — Head Lead 2-1

2. Celtics vs. 7. Hawks — Celtics Lead 2-1

3. Sixers vs. 6. Nets — Sixers Won 4-0

4. Cavaliers vs. 5. Knicks — Knicks 2-1