Antetokounmpo, Lillard combine for 65, and Bucks earn quarterfinal berth by topping Heat 131-124

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) drives to the basket against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 33 points, Damian Lillard 32, and the Milwaukee Bucks rallied in the fourth quarter to upset the Miami Heat 131-124 on Tuesday night and secure a home NBA In-Season Tournament quarterfinal game.

Khris Middleton scored 17, Malik Beasley 16, and Brook Lopez 12 for the Bucks, who won East Group B 4-0.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) takes a shot against Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

They’ll host wild-card New York on Dec. 4 or 5, while East Group C champion Boston plays Group A winner Indiana in the other quarterfinal before the Final Four in Las Vegas.

The Heat received 31 points from Bam Adebayo, 21 from Kyle Lowry, and 20 from Josh Richardson. Heat players Jaime Jaquez Jr., Caleb Martin, and Duncan Robinson scored 14 and 13.

Miami was without Jimmy Butler (ankle) and Haywood Highsmith (back).

Butler averaged 37.6 points in Miami’s five-game playoff sweep of Milwaukee last season, including 56 and 42 in the final two games.

Pat Connaughton hurt his right ankle late in the second quarter for the Bucks.

Miami Heat forward Caleb Martin (16) goes up for a shot against Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) and forward MarJon Beauchamp (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Miami led 118-115 after Lowry’s 3-pointer with 3:25 left, but the Bucks went on a 16-6 run. After a Richardson foul and a technical to Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, Lillard sank three free throws with 1:03 left to put the game away.

The Heat fell 15-2 after missing 10 of their first 11 shots. Chicago went 0 for 8 against Miami on Nov. 18 and the Los Angeles Clippers went 1 for 12 against Orlando on Oct. 31.

Bulls won that game.

Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. (11) looks for an opening past Milwaukee Bucks guard Pat Connaughton (24) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)Clippers did too. On Tuesday, the Heat led at halftime.

Miami led 62-59 at halftime after two 7-for-8 periods in a 40-point second quarter. Before Milwaukee recovered, the lead reached five points in the second half.