Three Years Ago, Miami Heat Completed Upset Of Milwaukee Bucks In Semifinals

Three years ago today, the Miami Heat eliminated the Milwaukee Bucks in the eastern conference semifinals. The Milwaukee Bucks had the best record in the league, with no one really expecting the Heat to compete with them, let alone gentleman sweep them.

Jimmy Butler led the way with 17 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Trailing right behind Butler in scoring was Goran Dragic, Jae Crowder, Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo and Kelly Olynyk.

Even after the game, Butler even suggested the team could have played better. The Bucks were playing Game 5 without 2020 MVP and Defensive Player of the Year Giannis Antetokounmpo.

“I don’t think we’ve played a full 48-minute game yet, and that's what's promising," Butler said in the postgame interview. "When we do lock in and play from start to finish the way we're supposed, I think the game will be a lot easier. But it’s yet to happen, and we gotta have it happen in the next round.”

The Heat converted this momentum into an NBA Finals run, where they were defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers in six games. Still, it was an unanticipated journey that illustrated Butler’s immediate effect on the team.

Three postseasons later, the same results came to fruition in the first round of the playoffs. Miami, a team with little expectations, again upset the championship-favorite Bucks in five games. Antetokounmpo was injured in this series as well but the Heat defeated them even when the Greek Freak was on the court.

Let’s hope history doesn’t repeat itself too much though. Otherwise, that means the Heat will be swept by Milwaukee next season on a redemption tour.

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Jayden Armant is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He is a student at Howard University. He can be reached at jaydenshome14@gmail.com or follow him on TikTok @jaydenarmant.