NBA Playoffs 2020: Miami Heat recovers from double-digit deficit to go up 3-0 against Milwaukee

The No. 1 seed Milwaukee Bucks could become the eighth top-seeded side since 2000 who fail to make it to the conference final, as their season is on the brink.

Miami Heat, early on Friday night, came back from a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter to outscore the Bucks 40-13 in the final frame to take Game 3, and build a 3-0 lead in their second-round series.

Jimmy Butler took charge in the fourth quarter by getting to the free-throw line early and often and continues to be very influential in Miami’s bid to get to the finals. He finished with 30 points, seven rebounds, and six assists as the Heat won 115-100.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Oi2d5QXIXs

Miami Heat collectively did most of their damage from the 3-point line, knocking down 18 of their 47 attempts from downtown.

Giannis Antetokounmpo still wasn’t firing on all cylinders and only finished with 21 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists for the Milwaukee Bucks. He also tweaked his ankle in the first half, which could be a cause for concern for the Bucks moving forward, especially considering they now have to win four straight to avoid being eliminated.

Miami was trailing by 12 points entering into the fourth quarter, which was the biggest deficit they’d faced all series long and it seemed like they were heading for their first loss of the postseason.

Instead, they completely turned the game on its head outscoring the Bucks by 27 points in the fourth, which was the biggest fourth-quarter point differential in playoff history in the shot clock era.

Jimmy Butler led the way, just as he did in Game 1, scoring 17 of his 28 points in the fourth. The Heat also kept it tight defensively, holding the Bucks to just 13 points on 6-of-23 from the field in the fourth and put the No. 1 seed on the brink of elimination.

The Bucks now have the odds stacked against them as no team in NBA history has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit. Not once in 139 attempts.

It will be fascinating to see what type of energy the Bucks come out with in Game 4. With Giannis’ looming free agency decision next offseason, there’s a lot more at stake for this team than just crashing out of the playoffs early.