The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Miami Heat, 138-122, at Fiserv Forum in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference First Round Playoff Series on Wednesday night. The series is now tied 1-1.

The Bucks (1-1) came into the night already facing an uphill battle that went beyond already being behind in the series, as they also were down Giannis Antetokounmpo (back). However, Milwaukee sent an early message that it might be up to the challenge when it emerged from the first quarter with a 35-28 lead through one, and the hosts changed the dynamic of the game for good during a second quarter in which they outscored the Heat by a 46-27 margin. Miami fell behind by another seven points during the third quarter before piling up some points in garbage time and making the final margin of defeat a bit more palatable.

Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 25 points, adding three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Bam Adebayo delivered 18 points, five boards, one assist and one steal. Gabe Vincent posted 16 points and three assists. Caleb Martin and Victor Oladipo produced matching 15-point tallies while recording six assists and five rebounds, respectively. Duncan Robinson registered 14 points, five rebounds and three assists.

Brook Lopez paced the Bucks with 25 points, supplementing them with four rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block. Jrue Holiday generated a 24-point, 11-assist double-double that included five rebounds and one steal. Pat Connaughton furnished 22 points, four rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block. Joe Ingles supplied 17 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals. Khris Middleton compiled 16 points, seven assists and six rebounds. Grayson Allen matched Middleton's scoring and added two rebounds and one assist. Bobby Portis provided a 13-point, 15-rebound double-double that included five assists, two blocks and one steal.

The two teams reconvene at Kaseya Center in South Florida on Saturday evening for Game 3.