Bucks make up for Giannis Antetokounmpo's absence in G2 rout

MILWAUKEE — The morning before Game 2 of the Milwaukee Bucks' first-round series with the Miami Heat, when star Giannis Antetokounmpo was still questionable to play with a lower back contusion, guard Jrue Holiday imparted a message to the team's two-time MVP.

«I know you're going to want to come back,» Holiday recalled telling Antetokounmpo. «But if you don't, just know, we got you.»

Indeed, the Bucks did. Despite missing Antetokounmpo for Game 2 on Wednesday night, the Bucks made up for his absence with a record offensive performance. Milwaukee knocked down 25 3-pointers in its 138-122 victory over the Heat, tying an NBA record for 3s in a playoff game.

The Bucks had seven players finish in double figures, including six players who scored at least 15 points, matching another NBA record.

«It takes the whole team; I think you saw that tonight,» Bucks forward Khris Middleton said. «It wasn't just one guy that carried us. A lot of people might expect me or Jrue to take on all the load that Giannis does, but what he does, we can't match. We have to do it by committee.»

The series is tied 1-1. Game 3 is Saturday night in Miami.

Without their leading scorer, the Bucks scored their most points in a playoff game since 1978, made their most 3-pointers in a playoff game in team history and had their most assists in a playoff game since '78, according to research by ESPN Stats & Information.

Brook Lopez paced the Bucks with 25 points. Holiday finished with 24 points and 11 assists. Bobby Portis stepped into the starting lineup in place of Antetokounmpo and put up 13 points with 15 rebounds. After not playing in Game 1, Pat Connaughton came off the bench to score 22 points.

«We think we have the best player in the world, but we