The Miami Heat (21-22) started their first game during Jimmy Butler’s second suspension with a blow-out loss against the Milwaukee Bucks (25-17) 125-96. Here’s a look at four major takeaways from the matchup: 1.

The Milwaukee Bucks arrived in town just a few hours before tipoff, but they were still able to find their rhythm after six minutes.

Damian Lillard had 29 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds and the Milwaukee Bucks overcame their travel issues to beat the Miami Heat 125-96 on Thursday for their fifth straight victory.

Damian Lillard came up one rebound short of a triple-double, scoring 29 points and dishing 11 assists to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 125-96 win over the visiting Miami Heat on Thursday night.Milw

With no Jimmy Butler, the Miami Heat were no match for the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday. The Bucks handled the Heat 125-96 with Butler serving a

The Heat’s abysmal shooting efficiency as a team was too much to overcome. They shot 37% from the field and 24% from 3-point range (12 of 51). As for Milwaukee, they remained sizzling with 47% and 45% splits as a team. The game was blown open by their 44-25 second quarter advantage and never looked back.

Miami Heat rookie center Kel’el Ware isn’t just a bright spot amid the ongoing Jimmy Butler saga. Ware has suddenly positioned himself to bring home some hardwa

In a season that has gone from great expectations to high anxiety, the Miami Heat now seemingly have moved on to kernels of hope. If nothing else, at least there are the possibilities presented from last year’s draft.

SportsLine's model has simulated the Miami Heat vs. Milwaukee Bucks matchup 10,000 times and revealed its NBA picks for Thursday

Milwaukee Bucks Top Performers Damian Lillard – 29 points, 9 rebounds, 11 assists, 2 steals, 5 3PM Giannis Antetokounmpo – 25 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks Gary Trent Jr. – 21 PTS, 7 3PM (season-high) Miami Heat Top Performers Kel’el Ware – 22 points,

Ira Winderman’s perspectives and other items of note from the Miami Heat’s Thursday night game against the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Heat are 3-7 against the spread in their last 10 games and would be looking over their shoulder if the bottom of the East wasn’t such a mess. With their season on the ropes, five of their last six losses have come by at least nine points.