By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Miami Heat are back in the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2015 after eliminating the Milwaukee Bucks in five games. The 103-94 win in Tuesday’s Game 5 finished the semifinal’s best-of-seven series.
Goran Dragic started and produced 17 points alongside four rebounds and two assists over 33 minutes. Jimmy Butler shared the team-high 17 points, and also put up ten rebounds and six assists.
Giannis Antetokounmpo was not cleared to suit up for the second consecutive must-win contest. “I wanted to play,” he said after his side was eliminated, “You know I wanted to play. I know I wanted to play. My coach knows I wanted to play, but at the end of the day, the organization put my health over Game 5. That’s big.”
The reigning MVP was ruled out about 45 minutes prior to the start of the tilt. He attempted to get himself ready for action but the Milwaukee organization eventually decided to keep him on the sidelines.
Jae Crowder added 16 points for the winning side in Game 5. Tyler Herro scored 14 off the bench, Bam Adebayo had 13, and Kelly Olynyk 12. Up next, the Toronto Raptors or the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals best-of-seven series.
Khris Middleton concluded his run in the Orlando bubble with a game-high 23 points. Donte DiVincenzo followed with 17 points of his own and Brook Lopez posted a 15-point, 14-rebound double-double.
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