MIAMI Heat completed its upset over Eastern Conference top-seed Milwaukee Bucks with a 103-94 Game 5 victory in their Eastern Conference semifinals on Tuesday night (Wednesday in Manila).
Jimmy Butler tallied 17 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, Goran Dragić contributed 17 markers while Jae Crowder chipped in 16 markers as the Heat progressed to Eastern Conference finals with a 4-1 series win.
The Heat had a flat start as they went down 17-28 before going on a huge second quarter rally behind Kelly Olynyk, Kendrick Nunn and Tyler Herro to take a 45-37 advantage.
Milwaukee showed some life in the third period as they cut the deficit to 56-57, but Miami countered with outside baskets from Herro and Crowder to build a 73-65 edge.
The Bucks made its last push in the fourth period at 85-89, but the Heat iced the victory with Butler and Bam Adebayo converting from the foul line and Dragić nailing crucial jumpers.
Meanwhile, Rajon Rondo ignited Los Angeles Lakers’ huge fourth quarter onslaught as they cruise to a 112-102 victory over Houston Rockets in Game 3 and take a 2-1 edge in their Western Conference semifinals series.
Rondo was the fire starter for the Lakers in the fourth period with back-to-back triples and a fast break layup to turn an 82-all score to 89-85 edge. The lead grew further with LeBron James and Anthony Davis conniving down the stretch.
Rondo finished the match with 21 points and nine assists while James top-scored with 36 points to earn his NBA-record setting 162nd playoffs win. Davis chipped in 26 markers.
The NBA holds all matches of its 2019-2020 playoffs at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex inside Walt Disney World in Bay Lake, Florida, United States./PN
