Milwaukee Bucks at Miami Heat

Butler scores 56, Heat stun Bucks 119-114 for 3-1 lead

The 56 points also became Butler's career high, as well as a franchise playoff record. And the 14-point fourth-quarter comeback became Miami's biggest of the season, at the absolute biggest time.

"We knew what we were capable of, even if nobody outside of this building, outside of this roster and outside of this organization believed in us," Butler said. "That's fine. We just want to continue to do what we know is possible."

It is a statistically improbable story: The No. 8 seed now leads the No. 1 seed 3-1, something that has only happened four other times since the NBA went to the 16-team playoff format in 1984.

But Butler has willed them there. He was 19 for 28 from the field, 15 of 18 from the foul line and added nine rebounds.

"We deserved to win that game," Heat center Bam Adebayo said, "because he played incredible."

"We didn't make enough plays on either end," Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. "And they did."

Butler had 21 of his points in the fourth, and the Heat still trailed 101-89 after a layup by Lopez with 6:09 left.

The lead changed hands four more times, and Butler's 3-pointer with 1:20 left put Miami ahead for good. He added a step-back jumper on Miami's next possession, punched the air in celebration, and the Heat knew they would soon be leaving with a 3-1 lead.

"For 40 minutes of this game, it was frustrating. ... It just shows you that when you have the right grit and perseverance, you can win," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "And then it always helps to have a guy like him."

The only players to score more in a playoff game: Michael Jordan had 63 in 1986, Elgin Baylor had 61 in 1962, Donovan Mitchell had 57 in 2020. Butler became the fourth with 56, joining Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain and Charles Barkley.

"He obviously played great," Lopez said. "He's been great all series long. He's been aggressive. He's been knocking down shots, shooting the 3 extremely well. There hasn't been a thing he hasn't been doing. It's a tough draw, but we have to keep getting better, keep making life tough for him, one game at a time."

Adebayo scored 15, Caleb Martin had 12 and Gabe Vincent scored 10 for the Heat.

But Butler was better than ever.

"The series is still going," Spoelstra said. "And we have great respect for the championship DNA that group has."

TIP-INS

Heat: Butler is averaging 16.5 points in first quarters in the series, with at least 13 points to open all four games. ... It was the 99th win of Spoelstra's playoff career.

OLADIPO TRIBUTE

The game was Miami's first since Victor Oladipo's season-ending torn left patellar tendon injury. Heat players arrived at the arena wearing Oladipo T-shirts. "He said, 'Don't shed any tears for me. I'm going to get through all of this,'" Spoelstra said.

Regular Season Series

Series tied 2-2