The Miami Heat, setting a franchise record for most points in a season-opening game, rode a 26-2 first-quarter run and 27 bench points from Tyler Herro to a 137-95 win over the visiting Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night.
Miami also got 21 points from Jimmy Butler and 20 points and a game-high 13 rebounds from Bam Adebayo.
The Heat shot 53.1 percent from the floor and 42.9 percent on 3-point attempts (15-for-35). The Bucks shot 38.1 percent from the floor and 28.6 percent on threes (12-for-42).
Milwaukee, which went nine consecutive minutes without a field goal in a brutal first quarter and never led in the game, was led by superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, who had 15 points and 10 rebounds. Khris Middleton was held to 10 points.
The Bucks played without two starters: center Brook Lopez (back spasms) and Jrue Holiday (bruised heel). Rotation players Donte DiVincenzo and Bobby Portis are also injured.
Veteran point guard/six-time All-Star Kyle Lowry, Miami’s biggest offseason acquisition, missed his first five shots and finished with five points — on 1-for-8 shooting — and six assists. He didn’t make his first (and only) field goal until he swished a 3-pointer from several feet beyond the arc with 11:37 left in the third quarter.
Lowry, who appeared to sprain both ankles during the same second-quarter play, returned to the court just a few minutes later.
The Heat’s other newcomers this year are power forwards P.J. Tucker and Markieff Morris. Tucker started and had eight points and six rebounds. Morris had seven points and four rebounds off the bench.
Miami scored 19 consecutive points and led 40-17 after the first quarter. The period ended with Herro rushing up court and hitting a 35-footer at the buzzer. The Heat shot 57.7 percent from the floor in the first quarter while Milwaukee shot 22.7 percent.
Miami led by as many as 31 points in the second quarter before settling for a 72-43 halftime lead.
The Heat led 105-69 after three quarters, and they cruised from there.
For the game, Miami outrebounded Milwaukee, 58-38.
–Field Level Media
