The Milwaukee Bucks erased a halftime tie to beat the Miami Heat 103-93 in their preseason debut at Kaseya Center on Monday. Milwaukee trailed 48-46 at the break but surged for a 57-45 second-half edge.
The Bucks started strong with a 29-23 first-quarter lead, driven by AJ Green’s three threes. Miami tied it at 48 on Nikola Jovic’s layup to end the second.
Milwaukee took control in the third, leading 71-68 after Gary Trent Jr.’s free throws. The Bucks held a 25-25 fourth quarter to seal the outcome.
Trent Jr. finished with 11 points on 3-of-6 shooting and two assists in 13 minutes. Kevin Porter Jr. added 10 points and four assists, shooting 5-of-7.
AJ Green scored nine points, all from three-point range on 3-of-8 attempts. Pete Nance led the bench with 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting and three rebounds.
Milwaukee shot 41.4% from the field and 31.7% from three on 13-of-41 tries. The Bucks forced 23 turnovers from Miami, converting them into 22 points.
Norman Powell paced the Heat with 18 points on 6-of-12 shooting, including three threes. Nikola Jovic contributed nine points and seven assists.
Bam Adebayo tallied five points and seven rebounds but committed five turnovers. Miami shot 38.8% overall and 28.6% from deep on 8-of-28.
Milwaukee’s reserves outscored Miami’s 67-39. Players like Nance delivered the needed push.
The Bucks collected 43 rebounds with three offensive ones. Miami grabbed 60 boards but faltered on possessions.
Milwaukee scored seven points off extended leads. The team turned 15 steals into transition opportunities.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. added nine points and three assists for the Heat.
