MILWAUKEE, Wis. — It set up as Hell Week, these four consecutive games against the Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers.
Halfway through, it almost was the start of a helluva week for the Miami Heat.
Almost.
In the wake of Monday night’s victory over the Bulls at FTX Arena, the Heat appeared poised for a follow-up victory Wednesday night before a late collapse in a 120-119 loss to the Bucks at Fiserv Forum.
It appeared the Heat had put it away with an over-the-top approach, with Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson and Gabe Vincent loading up on 3-pointers on a night the Heat drained 21, the 12th game of 20 or more in the franchise’s 34 seasons and fifth over the past two years against the Bucks.
But the long ball ultimately could not push the Heat past an uneven performance from Jimmy Butler.
Herro led the Heat with 30 points, with Vincent scoring 21 and Robinson 15. Center Bam Adebayo contributed an 18-point, 12-rebound double-double.
Despite early foul trouble, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 28 points and 17 rebounds, supported by 26 points from Khris Middleton and 25 from Jrue Holiday, who scored the winning basket on a driving layup with 1.9 seconds to play.
Five Degrees of Heat from Wednesday’s game:
— 1. Closing time: After the Heat went on an 11-0 run early in the third and the Bucks followed shortly thereafter with a 14-2 surge, the Heat went into the fourth quarter up 97-93.
From there, consecutive 3-pointers from Herro, Max Strus and Vincent staked the Heat to a 113-99 lead with 7:12 to play.
A 3-pointer by Holiday with 4:20 to play later drew the Bucks within 113-107, with Adebayo countering on the other end with a short jumper.
But back came the Bucks, with Antetokounmpo converting a pair of free throws with 1:39 left to bring Milwaukee within 115-113.
That’s when Herro stepped into a 16-foot jumper for a 117-113 Heat lead with 1:22 to go.
Again, with 65 seconds to play, Antetokounmpo got to the foul line, making both to draw the Bucks within 117-115.
And then, with 13.5 seconds left, Middleton pulled up for a transition 3-pointer to get the Bucks within 119-118.
Without a timeout, the best the Heat could do off a midcourt inbounds was a jump ball won by the Bucks, who then got a winning drive from Holiday.
— 2. Rough go: Butler stood at 2 of 13 from the field, including 0 for 3 on 3-pointers through three periods, with the Bucks getting him out of his comfort zones.
Butler did hit a 3-pointer midway through the third period, but it was ruled after the expiration of the shot clock.
Butler had six points, three rebounds, one assist going into the fourth and finished with six points, three rebounds and two assists.
— 3. Herro ball: Playing in front of 30 friends and family members, Herro, who played at nearby Whitnall High School, was percolating in the second period, with 15 points off the bench.
Herro shot 6 of 9 from the field and 3 of 4 on 3-pointers in the second period, standing with 17 points at halftime, when the Heat led 66-64.
He was up to 23 points going into the fourth.
— 4. Milestone moments: With his second 3-pointer, midway through the opening period, Robinson pushed past Glen Rice (708) for third on the Heat all-time 3-pointer list.
With his fifth, Robinson tied Eddie Jones (712), now training only Tim Hardaway (806).
Robinson closed the first half 5 of 6 on 3s.
— 5. More threes: With his first 3-pointer, early in the third period, Vincent became the fifth Heat player to convert 100 this season, joining Strus, Robinson, Herro and Lowry.
Vincent followed up with a pair of 3-pointers in rapid succession at the start of the second half to help stake the Heat to a 77-66 lead.
