The Miami Heat continued their surge Thursday night, defeating the Milwaukee Bucks 112–105 for their season-best seventh consecutive victory.
Two nights after his historic scoring outburst, Bam Adebayo finished with 21 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter to help Miami close out the win. The Heat remain sixth in the Eastern Conference, just percentage points behind the fifth-place Orlando Magic, who have also won six straight. The two teams will meet Saturday night.
Pelle Larsson delivered a breakout performance with a career-high 28 points for Miami. Kasparas Jakučionis added 18 points, Davion Mitchell scored 13 and Kel'el Ware pulled down 13 rebounds.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led all scorers with 31 points for Milwaukee, while Bobby Portis contributed 19 points and Ryan Rollins finished with 16 points and 10 assists.
Milwaukee had a chance to tie late in the fourth quarter when Antetokounmpo got a wide-open look from the top of the key with 52 seconds remaining, but the 3-pointer rattled out. Larsson grabbed the rebound and, 24 seconds later, knocked down a 3-pointer of his own to push Miami’s lead to six and effectively seal the game.
Miami again played without Norman Powell (groin), Andrew Wiggins (toe), Tyler Herro (quad) and Nikola Jović (back).
The Bucks, meanwhile, entered the game without anyone listed out due to injury for the first time since opening night, though starting guard Ousmane Dieng exited early because of illness.
Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers lamented the team’s injury struggles throughout the season, noting the Bucks have rarely had their preferred starting lineup available.
The loss was Milwaukee’s seventh in its last eight games.
Up next: The Milwaukee Bucks visit the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday. The Miami Heat host the Orlando Magic on Saturday.
