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Sports
06 April 2025

Giannis Leads Bucks Past Heat In Overtime Thriller

Milwaukee secures playoff berth with fourth straight win over Miami

Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered another brilliant performance to help the Milwaukee Bucks secure a 121-115 overtime win against the Miami Heat on Sunday, April 6, 2025. It was a close and exciting game, and Giannis played a key role once again, finishing with his ninth triple-double of the season—and his second in a row. The “Greek Freak” scored 36 points, grabbed 15 rebounds, and gave 10 assists while shooting 62% from the field. His all-round performance helped the Bucks take control in overtime after the game ended 111-111 in regular time.

Kevin Porter Jr. also impressed for the Bucks, scoring 24 points, collecting 12 rebounds, and adding 8 assists. Porter Jr., who joined the team from the Los Angeles Clippers earlier this season, is becoming an important player for Milwaukee. This was the Bucks’ fourth straight win over the Heat, showing their strength in the Eastern Conference. On the other side, Bam Adebayo worked hard for Miami, scoring 31 points with 12 rebounds and 5 assists, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Bucks.

Giannis is now just one triple-double away from matching his personal best of 10 in a season, set during the 2023-24 campaign. His performance against the Heat solidified his status as one of the league's elite players, and he became the first player to record 70 points, 30 rebounds, and 30 assists over two consecutive games since the legendary Wilt Chamberlain in 1968. In a previous game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Giannis had notched 35 points, 20 assists, and 17 rebounds.

The game was marked by a thrilling overtime period where the Bucks capitalized on their momentum. With just 1:36 left in the extra period, Giannis made a go-ahead dunk that put the Bucks ahead 117-115. This basket initiated a 6-0 run that sealed the victory for Milwaukee. Kevin Porter Jr. contributed significantly during this stretch, including a crucial layup with 11 seconds remaining that extended the lead.

Miami struggled to maintain their footing in the contest, especially with key players sidelined. The Heat played without Tyler Herro (right thigh), Andrew Wiggins (right hamstring), and Kevin Love (personal reasons), which severely impacted their performance. Despite this, Adebayo’s strong showing kept Miami competitive, along with a season-high 24 points from Alec Burks and 20 points from Davion Mitchell.

The Bucks' victory not only marked their fourth consecutive win against Miami but also clinched a playoff berth for the team earlier in the day when the New York Knicks defeated the Atlanta Hawks. With this win, the Bucks improved their record to 43-34, moving past the Detroit Pistons into the fifth spot in the Eastern Conference standings.

As for the Heat, this loss dropped them to 35-43, putting them a half-game behind the Chicago Bulls in the race for the ninth seed in the East. They are now 1.5 games behind the eighth-seeded Atlanta Hawks and three games behind the seventh-seeded Orlando Magic. Miami’s playoff hopes are dwindling, and they will need to regroup quickly as they prepare to host the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday.

Looking ahead, the Bucks will visit New Orleans on Sunday, where they will aim to continue their winning streak and solidify their playoff position. The excitement surrounding the Bucks is palpable, especially with Giannis in such stellar form, and fans are eager to see how far this team can go in the postseason.

In the aftermath of the game, Bucks coach Doc Rivers received the game ball from Giannis, a gesture to commemorate Rivers passing Phil Jackson on the all-time wins list. “He doesn’t know he’s getting the ball back,” Rivers joked, highlighting the bond between the player and coach.

As the NBA season progresses, every game becomes increasingly vital, and both the Bucks and Heat are feeling the pressure. With Giannis leading the charge, the Bucks look poised to make a deep playoff run, while the Heat must navigate their injury challenges and find a way to secure a playoff spot.

The matchup was a testament to the competitive nature of the Eastern Conference, where every victory counts as teams jostle for playoff positioning. The Bucks have shown resilience and determination, and with Giannis in the lineup, they are a force to be reckoned with. The Heat, while facing a tough road ahead, will look to bounce back in their upcoming games as they strive to keep their playoff hopes alive.