DUNCAN ROBINSON

The latter player is Moussa Diabaté, who was named the NBA G League Player of the Week (for Dec. 5-11). Diabaté has played in six NBA games as a rookie and totaled 23 points and 22 rebounds, less than his output on Thursday alone. In his second year in the league, Wagner is averaging 19.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. He’s averaging 17.8 points and 4.5 assists per game. His former Michigan teammate, Isaiah Livers, has appeared in 22 games with the Detroit Pistons.

The arena where the Miami Heat play will soon have a new name, after the team and Miami-Dade County decided Friday to begin actions to terminate their relationship with FTX on the same day that the cryptocurrency exchange filed for bankruptcy.

A frustrated Bam Adebayo tore his jersey apart as he walked off the court after the final buzzer.

A frustrated Bam Adebayo tore his jersey apart as he walked off the court after the final buzzer. Erik Spoelstra made no effort to hide his sadness about how the Miami Heat's season ended. Kyle Lowry said the year was wasted.

Jaylen Brown scored 25 points, Jayson Tatum added 22 and the Boston Celtics moved to the brink of a berth in the NBA Finals, running away after halftime to beat the Miami Heat 93-80 and take a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference title series.

Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka and Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra have enormous respect for each other and a bond that stems from their shared history in the sport.

Tyler Herro scored 25 points, Bam Adebayo finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds, and the Miami Heat topped the shorthanded Philadelphia 76ers 106-92 on Monday night in the opener of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.

In Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra’s mind, the injury situation with Joel Embiid doesn’t doom the Philadelphia 76ers.

Jimmy Butler scored a playoff career-high 45 points, including a personal 7-0 run in the final moments, and the Miami Heat held off the Atlanta Hawks 115-105 in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference first-round series Tuesday night.

Game 1s brought greatness out of some.

Duncan Robinson set a Miami playoff record with eight 3-pointers, and the Miami Heat forced Trae Young into matching the worst-shooting game of his career on the way to a 115-91 win over the Atlanta Hawks in Game 1 of an Eastern Conference first-round series Sunday.

Max Strus scored all of his 16 points in the fourth quarter, Tyler Herro finished with a game-high 29 off the bench and the Miami Heat escaped with a 105-98 win over the Detroit Pistons.

Devin Booker scored 23 points, Mikal Bridges added 21 and the Phoenix Suns shook off a slow start to beat the Miami Heat 111-90 on Wednesday night in a matchup of the NBA’s conference leaders.

Kevin Durant’s return couldn’t stop the Brooklyn Nets’ slide, as Bam Adebayo had 30 points, 11 rebounds and six assists to lead the Miami Heat to a 113-107 victory.

Jrue Holiday banked in a driving layup with 1.9 seconds left and the Milwaukee Bucks rallied from a 14-point deficit in the final six minutes to beat the Miami Heat 120-119.

Duncan Robinson said there is a wide gap in talent between the worst NBA players and the average fan.

Duncan Robinson scored 25 points while shooting 7 of 11 from 3-point range to lead four Miami players with 20 or more points in the Heat’s 110-96 victory over the New York Knicks.

Roster attrition, partly due to COVID-19 protocols, has allowed for more call-ups from the G League than in the past. Derrick Walton Jr. was among those who got a chance, playing in an NBA game for the first time since March of 2020 on a 10-day contract. Foot surgery prevented him from full practice participation until November, and he’s only appeared in one NBA game, for five minutes, so far. While guys like Teske, Stauskas, et cetera are getting their shot, other ex-Wolverines are building on their NBA careers. Averaging 17.4 points per game, he’s moved to the bench with the return of Klay Thompson.

ANN ARBOR -- Juwan Howard couldn’t stop smiling after Michigan’s game against Southern Utah on Saturday night. It helped that Michigan won by 37 points, but what warmed his heart was his former NBA brethren showing up at Crisler Center. Tracy McGrady, Duncan Robinson, and Erik Spoelstra were among the stars in the house, supporting Howard and, in turn, the Wolverines. “The support was real tonight,” Howard said. “It was beautiful to see.”Howard’s final three seasons as an NBA player were with the Miami Heat, before he transitioned into coaching with the franchise.

Caleb Martin scored a career-high 28 points and the Miami Heat beat the Milwaukee Bucks 113-104.

Tyler Herro had 31 points and eight rebounds as the Miami Heat rallied to beat the Detroit Pistons 100-92.

Nikola Jokic had 25 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists before the NBA MVP was ejected for violently slamming his shoulder into Markieff Morris, and the Denver Nuggets beat the Miami Heat 113-96 on Monday night.

One former Michigan basketball player will see the court on opening night, while others will follow in the coming days. Below is an attempt at a comprehensive list of Michigan men’s basketball alumni playing professional basketball this season. Ignas Brazdeikis, Orlando Magic“Iggy” played with three teams last season, but his longest and final stint was eight games with Orlando to close the season. Franz Wagner, Orlando MagicAfter two seasons at Michigan, Wagner was selected with the eighth overall pick in July’s draft. Moe Wagner, Orlando MagicWagner bounced around at the end of last season but finished strong with Orlando.

Adam Silver, the basketball fan, would prefer to see Kyrie Irving on the court again with the Brooklyn Nets as soon as possible.

Shortly after NBA free agency opened at 6 p.m., the 6-foot-7 forward agreed to a five-year, $90 million contract to remain with the Miami Heat. Tim Hardaway Jr. has agreed to a four-year, $72 million deal to re-sign with the Dallas Mavericks, according to ESPN. Last year, Robinson started all 72 games, averaging 13.1 points. At Michigan from 2016-18, he started just 49 of 115 career games and averaged 9.3 points. In 544 career games, Hardaway has started 268 and averaged 13.9 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists.

Point guards were the immediate focus when the NBA’s free agency window opened Monday night, with Kyle Lowry headed to the Miami Heat, Lonzo Ball on his way to the Chicago Bulls while Chris Paul and Mike Conley landed lucrative deals to remain with their current teams.

Turns out, there was a reason the Milwaukee Bucks weren’t worried about a playoff rematch with the Miami Heat in Round 1 this year.

Khris Middleton's jumper with 0.5 to go in overtime lifted the Milwaukee Bucks to a 109-107 win in Game 1 against the Miami Heat.

Khris Middleton broke a tie with a jumper with 0.5 seconds left in overtime and had 27 points to help the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 109-107 Saturday in Game 1 of the first-round playoff series.

The first game of the NBA’s new playoff format will include a former Michigan basketball player. Caris LeVert of the Indiana Pacers is one of five former Wolverines set to appear in the 2021 NBA playoffs, which start on Tuesday night (May 18). His podcast also recently released a hilarious “highlight” reel of the seven offensive rebounds he’s grabbed in his NBA career. Moe Wagner started the season, his third in the league, with Washington, and was traded to Boston in late March. More Michigan basketball content:Michigan basketball Big Ten schedule analysisScouts assess Franz Wagner’s NBA draft stock, potentialAfter extra long wait, former Michigan star Rudy Tomjanovich will be inducted into Basketball Hall of FameMichigan basketball recruiting: a few more top-100 prospects snag offersFormer Michigan star Chris Webber selected to Basketball Hall of Fame

Russell Westbrook had more triple-doubles than almost any trio of NBA players, free-throw shooting was better than ever and 3-point shooting was more prolific than ever once again.

Tyler Herro scored 24 points and the Miami Heat clinched a playoff spot by locking Boston into the play-in tournament with a 129-121 victory over the Celtics.

Jimmy Butler had 26 points and 11 assists to help the Miami Heat hold off the Boston Celtics 130-124 as they fight for position in the tight Eastern Conference playoff race.

USA Basketball is a step closer to choosing the team that will play in this summer’s rescheduled Tokyo Olympics, releasing the names Thursday of 57 players who are part of the pool to fill the squad. It’s also already drawing major interest from some NBA stars who have yet to taste Olympic gold. USA Basketball will pare the list to a 12-person Olympic team by early summer. Jordan, who now plays for Brooklyn, is also a newcomer to the pool even though he was on the 2016 Olympic team. “But for USA Basketball to receive the commitment of so many outstanding players remains an indicator of the great honor of representing your country means to these men.”

Miami Heat forward Kelly Olynyk (9) goes to the basket as Utah Jazz forward Royce O'Neale defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Feb. 26, 2021, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)MIAMI – The Miami Heat don't believe in statement wins. “A high-level game," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said, “and we had some big plays down the stretch." Duncan Robinson scored 15 and Kendrick Nunn added 12 for the Heat, who held Utah to 29% shooting in the fourth quarter. It was the sixth game in Heat history in which both teams had at least 94 points through three quarters.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, right, tries to pass as Miami Heat guard Gabe Vincent defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Heat even kept it together to pull out a win over the defending NBA champions despite a fourth quarter that nearly went wrong. Nunn scored 27 points, Jimmy Butler had 24 points and eight rebounds, and Miami held off the Los Angeles Lakers 96-94 Saturday night in an NBA Finals rematch. Kyle Kuzma scored 23 points while hitting four 3-pointers, and Montrezl Harrell had 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers. ... Goran Dragić missed his eighth straight game with a sprained left ankle.

New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose looks to pass the ball as Miami Heat guard Duncan Robinson (55) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)MIAMI – The first thing Derrick Rose did in his second stint with the New York Knicks was start handing out assists. Rose made his second Knicks debut Tuesday night in Miami, scoring 14 points in 20 minutes in New York's 98-96 loss to the Heat. Rose won the 2011 NBA MVP award, capping his first season under Thibodeau and a 62-20 season for the Bulls. “I think he’s in great shape.

(AP Photo/Adam Hunger)NEW YORK – James Harden and Kevin Durant each scored 20 points despite three relatively quiet quarters, and the Brooklyn Nets broke away with a big run in the fourth to beat the Miami Heat 98-85 on Monday night. Kyrie Irving added 16 points for the Nets, who completed a sweep of the Heat in two games that couldn't have been more different. Bam Adebayo had 26 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in a strong follow-up to his career-high 41 points Saturday. Miami took a 45-41 edge into halftime, going just 4 for 19 on 3s but doubling the Nets' makes after they went 2 for 17. Nets: Durant missed his first six 3-point attempts before sinking one in the third quarter.

Miami Heat's Gabe Vincent (2) defends against Brooklyn Nets' Kevin Durant (7) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021, in New York. Kevin Durant scored 31 points, Kyrie Irving took over late and had 28 and the Nets overcame Adebayo's career-high 41 points to beat the Miami Heat 128-124 on Saturday night. Irving helped pull the Nets through with 12 points in the final 5:48 after the Heat had erased nearly all of an 18-point deficit. Adebayo beat the buzzer with a jumper, than Miami opened the fourth with a 13-0 run to get within 96-95. Irving, Harden and Durant quickly combined for eight straight points but Adebayo kept coming, and the Nets needed a couple of clutch baskets from Irving and late free throws to pull it out.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) shoots as Utah Jazz center Derrick Favors (15) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)MIAMI – USA Basketball is casting a wider-than-usual net in its roster selection for this summer's rescheduled Tokyo Olympics, two people with knowledge of the situation said Saturday. The additions mean at least 60 players could be on the player-pool list that will be released by USA Basketball in the coming weeks. ESPN first reported that USA Basketball has sent approximately 60 invitations to be part of the player pool. USA Basketball is planning a training camp and exhibition games.

(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)MIAMI – The Washington Wizards are now assured of going at least 11 days between games, after yet another postponement while the team deals with COVID-19 issues. The Wizards' game that was scheduled to be played Wednesday in Charlotte is now off, the NBA said Monday. That is the 14th postponement since Jan. 10 — and no team has had more games called off than the Wizards. Washington has seen five consecutive games pushed back, and the earliest the Wizards will play again is Friday at Milwaukee. One of those matchups was to have taken place on Monday’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day game schedule — Cleveland at Washington.

Isaiah Stewart of the Detroit Pistons and Precious Achiuwa of the Miami Heat battle for a rebound during the third quarter at American Airlines Arena on January 16, 2021 in Miami, Florida. And last season’s NBA Finals trip for the Miami Heat suddenly seems long ago. It was the biggest margin the Pistons outscored an opponent by in their last 331 quarters, going back to April 9, 2019. “We didn't play to ... the Miami Heat culture that we represent," Adebayo said. “It's part of our new NBA," Pistons coach Dwane Casey said.

And last season’s NBA Finals trip for the Miami Heat suddenly seems long ago. Blake Griffin scored 15 points for Detroit, which outscored Miami 38-19 in the third quarter to turn a four-point halftime deficit into a game fully under Pistons control. It was the biggest margin the Pistons outscored an opponent by in their last 331 quarters, going back to April 9, 2019. The Pistons outscored the Grizzlies 36-14. MIAMI TIESThe Pistons have plenty of Miami ties.

With 497 players tested, that reflects a positivity rate of 3.2%. Phoenix's home game Wednesday against Atlanta was called off, as was the Suns' home game with Golden State on Friday. That doesn't mean he tested positive and simply could mean he was potentially exposed to someone who has, or had an inconclusive test. In the previous five weeks combined, only 15 players tested positive. But even the current week's rate is well below what the league dealt with going into training camps, when 48 players tested positive in the week before practices could formally begin leaguewide.

The league's general managers met Monday to discuss the virus situation, with involvement from the National Basketball Players Association. The Celtics would have been without seven players for virus-related issues for that game. Another three Heat players are on the injury list, raising the question if they will have the eight required players to start games. The two new postponements means four games so far have been called off due to virus-related matters. Philadelphia played at home against Denver on Saturday with seven players — eight were available — because of a combination of virus issues and injuries.

Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) drives to the basket as Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)MIAMI – Rookie guard Payton Pritchard wasn't there last season when the Boston Celtics lost to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference finals. Jimmy Butler had 26 points for Miami, which got 16 points from Duncan Robinson, 15 points from Bam Adebayo and 14 from Goran Dragic. TIP-INSCeltics: Stevens called Spoelstra before the game to alert him of the Celtics' meeting and consideration of not playing. Heat: Miami’s streak of a different starting five in every game this season ended; the Heat used the same opening lineup as they did Monday against Oklahoma City.

New Orleans Pelicans guard Eric Bledsoe (5) dribbles against Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 25, 2020, in Miami. (AP Photo/Joel Auerbach)MIAMI – Erik Spoelstra remained perfect on Christmas, and a record-tying show from Duncan Robinson helped him stay that way. Robinson made seven 3-pointers — tying the Christmas single-game mark — and scored 23 points, helping the Heat beat the New Orleans Pelicans 111-98 to start the NBA’s holiday quintupleheader Friday. Goran Dragic scored 18 points, Bam Adebayo had 17 and Avery Bradley finished with 12 for Miami, and Spoelstra improved his Christmas record as Heat coach to 8-0. COMING HOMEVeteran ref John Goble was crew chief and got to be home for Christmas; he’s a Miami native.

The 2020-21 NBA season starts on Tuesday night with the Warriors against the Nets, and each team has a former Michigan basketball player on its roster. Ignas Brazdeikis, New York KnicksThe former one-and-done Wolverine spent much of last year, his rookie season, in the G League, appearing in just nine NBA games. Simpson can try to catch on with a G League team, but perhaps not the Lakers’. Reports have indicated a G League season will take place, in an Atlanta “bubble” starting in January, though the Lakers’ affiliate is among those not expected to participate. Kameron ChatmanChatman, who transferred from Michigan in 2016 after his sophomore season, played in Belgium last year.

But apparently, the Los Angeles Lakers took it upon themselves to give the former Michigan star one during their NBA Finals series with the Miami Heat. It came after the hosts told Robinson several people on Twitter had said he looked like the boy genius' best friend, Sheen. “My only problem with that is I get Jimmy Neutron as well. During the Finals the Lakers bench was yelling Jimmy Neutron at me so I don’t understand how I can be Sheen and Jimmy.”“During the Finals, the Lakers’ bench was yelling ‘Jimmy Neutron’ at me. "@clubtrillion, @tatefrazier and @D_Bo20 react to the best "Duncan Robinson looks like" tweets from the NBA Finals pic.twitter.com/hDoJjWiS05 — The Association on FOX (@TheAssociation) October 20, 2020When asked which character he would rather be, his answer was simple.

For the first time since Kobe Bryant's fifth and final title a decade ago, the Lakers are NBA champions. James had 28 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists, and the Lakers beat the Miami Heat 106-93 on Sunday night to win the NBA Finals in six games. Rajon Rondo scored 19 points for the Lakers, who put together the elite talents of James and Davis with this moment in mind. James (Miami, Cleveland) and Danny Green (San Antonio, Toronto) added their names to that list with this title. HEAT SEASONMiami led the NBA with 94 games played this season — 30 more than Minnesota, which played the fewest in the NBA.

The Los Angeles Lakers were ready to cap off their 2020 season on Friday night, but the Miami Heat had other plans. With the Heat’s win, it forced a Game 6 and the Lakers look to wrap up the series on Sunday night. Sunday’s game airs on ABC and can be streamed on fuboTV (free trial), Sling (free trial) and Hulu (free trial). With the championship within reach, the Lakers look to iron out some of the little mistakes. ETWhere: Disney Wide World of Sports -- Orlando, FloridaTV: ABCStream: fuboTV (free trial) | Sling (free trial) | Hulu (free trial)Here’s the rest of the Finals schedule.

The Heat have talked since the NBA Finals started about a need to play almost perfect basketball against the Lakers. “One thing about this team that we are playing, they make you pay for every mistake,” James said after Game 5. So, we have to understand that.”James is about to set the record for NBA playoff game appearances. Nobody has had more 40-point NBA Finals games in a loss than he has — the record-setting fifth entry on that list coming Friday in Miami’s 111-108 win. “We’re motivated to win Game 6 and they are motivated to win Game 6,” Davis said.

“That’s Jimmy Butler," Heat center Bam Adebayo said. Butler got fouled with 46.7 seconds left, then slumped over the baseline video boards, clearly exhausted. He made both foul shots for a one-point lead; Davis’ putback with 21.8 seconds left got the Lakers back on top. Butler drove the lane, drew contact and made both with 16.8 seconds left for a 109-108 lead. Lakers: James and Davis were a combined 24 for 36.

DETROIT – If you’re a professional basketball fan, it can be fun or frustrating to see a former member of the Detroit Pistons playing in the NBA finals. Michigan and Oakland basketball fans already know Duncan Robinson and Kendrick Nunn. Now, thanks to the NBA Finals, so does the rest of the world. “When your’e a basketball player or grew up playing, you laid in bed at night dreaming of playing in the NBA Finals,” Kampe said. That was the gist of the tests.”Former Detroit Pistons first-round pick Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is also playing in the Finals, for the Los Angeles Lakers.

James and the Lakers are back in control of these NBA Finals, one win away from the franchise's 17th championship. James finished with 28 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, Anthony Davis' 3-pointer with 39.5 seconds left finally settled matters and the Lakers beat the Miami Heat 102-96 in Game 4. The Lakers lead 3-1 and can win the title when the series resumes Friday. 3-1 LEADSThis is the 36th time that a team has held a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals. It was just the third time in the last 26 NBA Finals games that neither team reached 50 points in the first 24 minutes.

With a triple-double, he joined NBA Finals lore — and the short-handed Miami Heat might have made this title matchup a series after all. Miami's starters outscored the Lakers' starting five 89-51, and the Heat held the Lakers to a 14-for-42 night from 3-point land. It’s going to be a tough game, Game 4," Herro said. ... Nick Aquilino, the son of Heat neuromuscular therapist Vinny Aquilino, performed the anthem -- a recording from a Heat game with fans in Miami. BUTLER’S TRIPLE-DOUBLEButler became the 21st player to have a triple-double in the NBA Finals — and four of the 21 were part of Sunday’s game.

The Miami Heat have found itself in an unusual scenario as it trails the Los Angeles Lakers 2-0 in the NBA Finals series. Sunday’s game airs on ABC and can be streamed on fuboTV (free trial), Hulu (free trial) and Sling (free trial). ET (fuboTV, Hulu, Sling)Game 5*: Friday, Oct. 9: Miami Heat at L.A. Lakers, 9 p.m. ET (fuboTV, Hulu, Sling)Game 6*: Sunday, Oct. 11: L.A. Lakers at Miami Heat, 7:30 p.m. ET (fuboTV, Hulu, Sling)Game 7*: Tuesday, Oct. 13: Miami Heat at L.A. Lakers, 9 p.m.

Duncan Robinson has already defied the odds as a basketball player, going from Division III to Michigan to undrafted prospect to NBA starter. Robinson’s Miami Heat begin a best-of-7 series with the Los Angeles Lakers (9:00 p.m. As a former Michigan basketball player, he’ll join an exclusive, elite club. The year before, he was active when Miami won, though he only played in the final minutes of the clincher. The 2000 Finals was the last that featured a Wolverine in the starting lineup: Jalen Rose (Pacers) and Glen Rice (Lakers) were both starters who played major roles.

The Heat are going to the NBA Finals — surprising many, perhaps, but not themselves. Extremely well-coached and well-put together and we are just honored to be a part of that type of series in the conference finals, and then we get an opportunity for the next stage. The Heat won the series 4-2 — and now, waiting on that next stage to decide the NBA title, are LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. The Celtics scored 10 of the first 12 points of the fourth, going up 96-90. Heat: The Heat are now guaranteed no less than $4,399,686 for their playoff share, and that number would rise to $5,791,041 if they win the title.

Boston Celtics' Kemba Walker (8) reacts to a play against the Miami Heat during the second half of an NBA conference final playoff basketball game Friday, Sept. 25, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – There have been two undeniable truths about the Miami Heat this season. The Boston Celtics have scouting and analytics teams that undoubtedly know these trends. HEAT ON 3’SFor whatever reason, 31.1% is the magic number for Heat 3-pointers this season. BIG FINISHThe Celtics scored 103 points in the final three quarters of Game 5.

Tatum had 31 points and 10 rebounds, Jaylen Brown added 28 points and the Celtics shook off a slow first half to top the Miami Heat 121-108 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals and stave off elimination. “Our deal was to come out and play, come out and compete, give it our best shot and I thought we played pretty well in the second half," Stevens said. Kemba Walker scored 15 points, Marcus Smart had a 12-point, eight-rebound, eight-assist night and Gordon Hayward scored 10 for the Celtics. “Boston played great in that second half," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. The Heat scored the first basket of the third quarter.

Jaylen Brown scored 26 points, Jayson Tatum added 25 and the Celtics got right back into the East finals with a 117-106 victory over the Miami Heat in Game 3 on Saturday night. Marcus Smart scored 20 points for Boston, going 9 for 9 from the foul line in the fourth quarter. The road-designated team has won the last 12 games in which Boston has played — and in the playoffs, road teams are now 39-31. The road winning percentage this postseason (.557 right now) would also be an NBA record; the current mark is .519, set in 1966 when road teams went 14-13. RARE BREAKPartly to allow the Western Conference finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets to catch up, the Heat and Celtics won’t play Game 4 until Wednesday.

And after making the Boston Celtics lose another big lead on the court — as well as their cool in the postgame locker room — the unheralded Heat are two wins away from the NBA Finals. Goran Dragic scored 25 points, Bam Adebayo led a big third-quarter rally to finish with 21, and the Heat pulled off another comeback to beat the Celtics 106-101 and take a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals. The Celtics went on a 15-2 run, silencing the Heat for nearly seven minutes and going up 94-89 on a 3-pointer by Walker with 4:25 left. ... Miami’s 20-point differential in the third quarter was a Heat record for that quarter in the playoffs, and the sixth time in Heat playoff history they outscored an opponent by at least 20 in any quarter. 3’S ARE WILDCrowder’s 3-pointer with 5:43 left in the third quarter was — fittingly — the 33,333rd in NBA playoff history.

Even with Giannis Antetokounmpo missing most of the game with a sprained right ankle, the Bucks extended their season to a Game 5 on Tuesday. The Heat gave up 12 straight points in the final period Sunday, wasting what was an eight-point lead in a closeout game. Antetokounmpo scored 19 points for the Bucks in only 11 minutes, while Brook Lopez and George Hill each had 14 for Milwaukee. TIP-INSBucks: Milwaukee missed 19 consecutive 3-pointers its last 12 of Game 3 and first seven of Game 4 before Antetokounmpo connected late in the first quarter. Heat: Miami was looking to become the first No.

This was just a free throw, no time on the clock, nobody else from the Miami Heat or Milwaukee Bucks standing along the lane. That got Milwaukee within two, and Butler made one free throw with 7.7 seconds left to get the lead back to three. Bam Adebayo scored 15 points, Butler and Duncan Robinson each had 13 and Kelly Olynyk added 11 for Miami which is 6-0 in this postseason. Middleton scored 23 points for Milwaukee, which got 16 apiece from Lopez and Eric Bledsoe and 14 from George Hill. FOULING ON 3SThe Heat fouled the Bucks five times on 3-point tries in the game, including twice against Lopez in a 26-second span of the first quarter.