Subscribe
Follow Us
The Milwaukee Bucks found themselves in an 0-3 hole against the Miami Heat on Friday, 115-100 The team went ice cold in the fourth quarter of the pivotal Game 3 of their Eastern Conference semifinals series.
That humiliating performance etched them a place in the history books for all the wrong reasons. The Bucks were actually in a good position to win the game after three quarters, holding an 87-75 lead entering the fourth. But things went south quickly in that final canto, as they only managed to put up a measly 13-point output. Making matters worse, they allowed the Heat to score 40 fourth-quarter points as they took over the ball game.
That 27-point margin is the biggest fourth-quarter deficit in NBA history.
40-13.
The biggest fourth quarter margin in an NBA playoff game.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) September 5, 2020
The Bucks were outscored by 27 in the 4th quarter, the worst points differential in a 4th quarter of a playoff game in the shot clock era (since 1955). @ESPNStatsInfo
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) September 5, 2020
The Mike Budenholzer-mentored squad certainly picked the worst time to struggle from the field, as they simply couldn't buy a bucket in that dreadful final 12 minutes. Milwaukee, who was one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the regular season, missed all their 10 attempts in the fourth and shot just 26 percent from the floor.
The Bucks went 6-23 (26%) from the floor in the 4th quarter, including 0-10 from 3-point range. It was the first time all season they didn't make a 3-pointer in a 4th quarter and the 13 points were their fewest in a 4th quarter under Mike Budenholzer. @ESPNStatsInfo
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) September 5, 2020
Miami took full advantage, led by their two All-Stars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. Butler finished with 30 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, while Adebayo added 20 markers and 16 boards.
The Bucks, meanwhile, were pegged as strong contenders for the Larry O'Brien trophy at the beginning of the season. They lived up to the hype and more after Giannis Antetokounmpo had another MVP-worthy year. Milwaukee raced to a league-best 56-17 slate in the regular season.
However, they struggled mightily ever since entering the bubble. They dropped Game 1 of their first-round series against the 8th-seeded Orlando Magic. The Bucks have yet to solve the Heat puzzle, and it may be a little too late for them to do so.
Milwaukee will look to avoid the sweep in Game 4 on Sunday.
