MILWAUKEE (AP) — Brook Lopez scored 25 points, Jrue Holiday added 24 and the hot-shooting Milwaukee Bucks withstood Giannis Antetokounmpo’s absence to rout the Miami Heat 138-122 on Wednesday night, tying the Eastern Conference first-round series at a game apiece.
The Bucks went 25 of 49 on 3-point attempts to tie the NBA record for 3-point baskets in a postseason game. Pat Connaughton, who didn’t even play in Game 1, added a playoff career-high 22 points while going 6 of 10 from beyond the arc.
Antetokounmpo remained out for Milwaukee after leaving the Bucks’ 130-117 Game 1 loss early in the second quarter with a bruised lower back.
Jimmy Butler scored 25 points for the Heat.
Game 3 is Saturday in Miami.
GRIZZLIES 103, LAKERS 93
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Xavier Tillman scored a career-high 22 points and had 13 rebounds and Memphis overcame Ja Morant's absence to beat Los Angeles in Game 2 to tie the Western Conference series.
No. 2 seed Memphis sat Morant after he tested the right hand he originally hurt April 7 in a win at Milwaukee and aggravated driving to the basket in the opening loss to the Lakers. He had more exams on the hand before being declared inactive and watched from the bench with his hand bandaged.
LeBron James led the Lakers with 28 points and 12 rebounds.
Game 3 is Saturday night in Los Angeles.
NUGGETS 122, TIMBERWOLVES 113
DENVER (AP) — Jamal Murray scored 40 points and Michael Porter Jr. had 13 of his 16 in the fourth quarter, powering Denver past Minnesota for a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference series.
Nikola Jokic added 27 points, nine assists and nine rebounds for the Nuggets, who blew an early 21-point lead and trailed 89-87 heading into the fourth quarter.
Anthony Edwards had 41 points for the Wolves, who shot a sizzling 81% in the third quarter to erase a 64-59 halftime deficit.
Game 3 is Friday night in Minneapolis.
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The Associated Press
