Jimmy Butler’s historic performance gave Miami a 119-114 victory and a 3-1 series lead over Milwaukee.
Butler went 19-28 on FGs and scored 56 total points, 21 in the fourth quarter alone. This Heat playoff record ties the fourth most points in NBA playoff history. Butler joined Wilt Chamberlain, Charles Barkley, and Michael Jordan with his performance. The last time a player scored 50+ in the playoffs was his opponent, Giannis Antetokounmpo, in game 6 of the 2021 finals against the Phoenix Suns.
Only three of Butler’s teammates scored double digits: Bam Adebayo with 15 points, Gabe Vincent with 10, and Caleb Martin with 12. The Heat were the underdogs in this series as the eighth seed, taking on the first-place Milwaukee Bucks. Giannis suffered a back injury in Game 1 and missed the last two games. He returned for game four and put up 26 points, ten rebounds, and 13 assists. Brook Lopez put up 36 points and 11 rebounds. But Milwaukee’s efforts were not enough to combat Butler’s outstanding performance.
The Heat will look to close out the series on Wednesday in Milwaukee at 9:30 pm EST.
