Chicagoland Native Max Strus Plays Big Role In Keeping Hometown Bulls Out Of Playoffs

Miami Heat guard Max Strus didn't grow up too far from the United Center in Chicago, played college at DePaul and also had a brief stint with the Bulls.

So that made Friday just a little bit sweeter.

Strus had 31 points, including 23 in the first half, of the Heat's victory against the Bulls in the play-in tournament. The win sends Miami to the first round to play the Milwaukee Bucks.

Game 1 is Sunday at Fiserv Forum.

"I just hope when I go back[to Chicago] this summer I don't get into any trouble out there," Strus said. "I think I should be OK. I think I got some fans out there that have my back ... Definitely, it feels good to beat the hometown team."

Strus kept the team afloat with his first-half performance. After Jimmy Butler carried most of the load in the second half, Strus had eight points and two rebounds in the fourth.

"He has that grit and perseverance," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "His routine never changes in terms of starting his shooting workouts, whether we're on the road. He always meets us there, gets in his routine before we arrive ... He just stays consistent all the way through."

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Shandel Richardson covers the Miami Heat for Inside The Heat.

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