Chris Tilley/NBAE via Getty Images
After a sluggish 4-9 start to the season, the Milwaukee Bucks have surged recently and continued the hot streak on Tuesday.
The Bucks beat the Miami Heat 106-103 in the NBA Cup on Tuesday to win their fifth straight game.
Milwaukee was without star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was a late scratch due to a knee injury, and it looked to co-star Damian Lillard, who delivered 37 points and 12 assists on 10-of-17 from the field and 8-of-13 from deep.
The Bucks led by as much as 22 points thanks to 25 points from Lillard in the first half, but the Heat crawled their way back into the game before ultimately tying things up in the late half. Miami had a chance to take the lead on a shot from Tyler Herro with seconds remaining, but his attempt clanked off the rim with just over a second remaining.
From there, Taurean Prince hit two free throws to make it a three-point game and the Heat’s final shot from Terry Rozier missed.
After the game, fans had high praise for Lillard’s vintage performance.
Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
Dame is COOKING in the first half:
⌚️ 25 PTS
⌚️ SIX threes (6-9 3PM)
⌚️ 18 minutes pic.twitter.com/R0Kzz8UwKK
Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
.@Dame_Lillard has been on a tear of late. 31 against Charlotte, 25 in the first half against Miami tonight. Big part of this recent Bucks revival.
chibi snoo @thesmokedweed5
Dame Lillard turns back into Portland Dame every time Giannis doesn’t play lol
ben pfeifer @bjpf_
so awesome to see damian lillard cooking like he is today. the heat have no answer — drop, isolation, blitz, zone, nothing works
BucksShowYo🦌 @BucksShowYo
DAMIAN LILLARD 8/11 FROM THREE pic.twitter.com/3BLoXJcqyg
Things looked bleak for Milwaukee early this season, but the Bucks have seemingly started to turn the corner. A win over a talented team without Antetokounmpo on the floor is a good sign that Milwaukee is capable of getting back to a championship-caliber level this year.
